Applying the principle of charity[0], I interpreted "foreigner" in this context as:

>Foreigner may refer to: Alien (law), a person in a country who is not a citizen or permanent resident of that country.[1]

If someone earns RMB and lives in China, then presumably they're either a citizen or a permanent resident.

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principle_of_charity

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreigner

Oh, the Chinese definitely don't see it that way. I'm sure my Chinese name is laowai because that is what I'm called everywhere.

I'm neither a citizen, nor a permanent resident. The Chinese don't hand out greencards easily (maybe a few hundred a year) and even then often only to people of Chinese descent.

So... I earn RMB and live in China... but I'm totally a foreigner. In fact, foreigners can't really become permanent residents of China, especially if you're not of Chinese descent.

I never heard about this. As far as I know you need to be Chinese to buy A-Shares. Having RMB or being paid in RMB is irrelevant since even a tourist can open a bank account in China or HK.

Please elaborate in this.

I think if you present your income tax receipts (your money was earned in China), as long as the money is earned in China. there are all sorts of problems that go away with income tax receipts since not any tourist can get a job and earn money domestically.