I worked in China early this year and was issued a
"Residence Permit for Foreigner in the People's
Republic of China" that expires on April 27. 2007. For "purpose of stay" it says "employment."

The problem is, I already quit the job and returned to the United States almost half a year ago. I returned my red booklet to the company but still have the visa in my passport.

I plan to visit China again in a week. Can I
use this permit to re-enter into China or do I have to
apply for a tourist visa?

Upon entering China I will have to fill out a form explaining my purpose of entering the country. Obviously I can't write that I'm on vacation since it was issued for work. I also can't write that I am returning from a business trip since it's logged in their system that I left 6 months ago. Is it likely I will not be able to enter the country.

Can anyone help advise?

Generally speaking, when you leave a company prior to natural completion of the contract and you still have time remaining on your work visa, the PSB does not cancel that visa. More specifically, the only way your visa could have been cancelled is if you had delivered your passport to the PSB for visa cancellation.

There are those who claim that the PSB can void your visa with a computer keystroke. It is not so simple and generally not true -- at least at the local or even provincial level. Unless there is a very strong overriding reason why the PSB should go through the considerable and complex hassle of voiding your visa manually, it will not happen.

So, unless you have killed somebody or conspired with the da1a¡ 1ama or Li Hongzi to overthrow the country, you should be safe to re-enter.

Thank you very much for your help!

no problem coming back. when you get back though and want to get a job you need a release letter and a copy of the labour book from your previous employer to change it over or you have to start the process all over again.