What does 'Confirmed Seat' mean with regards to Beijing 144-hour visa-free transit?

I have recently booked a number of flights for my trip to Asia in February. As part of the trip I will be travelling from Taipei to Beijing and 4 days later flying from Beijing to London (British Airways). I would like to make use of the 144-hour visa-free transit, but am somehow confused by the rules.

The information on the Beijing Airport website mentions passengers with 'confirmed seats', but I'm not sure what it actually means.

I can log in to BA website/app using my booking reference and can see the full itinerary - is this (or the printout) enough for the authorities at the Beijing Airport? British Airways only allow one to check in for a flight 24 hours before the departure, which means I won't be checked-in (and have a seat number) at the time when I arrive in Beijing. I can spend an extra £14 to book a seat now. £14 is not a huge amount, so I'm OK with that, if it helps with getting through Beijing, but is it necessary?

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Can you transit through China without a visa?

Under the 24-hour visa-free transit rule, no visa is required for international flight, ship, or train passengers who transit directly through mainland China and will stay for less than 24 hours. Passengers should hold tickets to a third country or region and have a confirmed seat.

How do I get a 144 hour visa for China?

Condition

Be a citizen of one of the 53 countries qualified by the provisions and hold valid international travel documents that identify their nationality;

Hold a ticket for a connection to a third country (or region) that will leave within 144 hours of the passenger's arrival.

Does China allow transit?

24 hour visa-free transitForeign citizens travelling to a third country or region through China by plane, ship or train may stay up to 24 hours in China without a visa. The application for a preliminary entry permit at the Chinese border is a requirement for the visa-free entry.

Can I go to Beijing without a visa?

The 72-hour visa-free transit policy in China allows air passengers from 53 countries to transit and stay for up to 72 hours (3 days) in 18 China cities without a visa. In order to facilitate international visitors' short stay in China, the policy is promising to be carried out in more and more cities in the future.

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