You mean a chit like this one?

Is your GP a one man band, or are there any other staff (a competent secretary can do 95% of this from records alone, whereas a nurse practitioner could do it all bar the end signature).

It is entirely possible they've said No as they're not sure what it entails - well worth printing off a copy & asking if they could give some informed advice & that of course if there's a fee? - it will almost certainly be less hassle than a completely stone new medic with no records.

Having a shufti at one website (this one here) Section 5 is blissfully reassuring & it might be worth lugging a print of it to the GP so they know what's considered usual & acceptable. As really, who wants to order a chest X ray for the sport? If he comes back with a persistent cough, heck yes, but before he goes?!

My only real quibble about China is that they can cope better with foreigners in major cities (and I mean stonking great metropolis type places not outlying boonies). The good old bad old habit of watching everyone but especially strangers can be really hard on the nerves - if your lad has cleared a few emotional hurdles like utterly trashing a major exam, moving house, having a bereavement, getting married &/or divorced - that sort of emotional nervous shock, that oddly really helps you cope with ongoing persistent culture shock. OK it may trigger old coping strategies, teddy, sweets &/or gin but better the defences you know than having to construct them Out There.

Also the more Westernised the area, the more other Westerners there will be to help him - and frankly, that *may* really matter. Even if it's just a reliable source of familiar builders tea, hobnobs & a grouch about how rubbish we are at sport - it's reassuring & it won't add to the load on his liver.

Very best of luck and have a look-see if the medical insurance includes emergency repatriation on mental health grounds if necessary. Me, I'd put that in a separate policy & not mention it but if your lad is phoning you telling you he's seeing Godzilla, Darth Vader & Paddington all sharing a plate of bacon sarnies, you may wish to have the capability of removing him, or at the very least sharing your maternal concerns with his employers. Sometimes the best insurance is abundant comms & a really good boss.
Naturally everyone will say "oh but it doesn't happen" - but sometimes it Does.

While vast numbers go out & do Absolutely Fine - so please don't let my anxieties set off yours.

Best of luck with the form-filling, may son go out & have a wonderful time & return with a much improved golf handicap, bank balance & cv!

Just may be useful for him, the YouTube channel "serpentza" is a South African guy who has made China his home, and has loads of tips, advice, commentary, etc on just about any and every subject to do with being an expat there living, dating, family, customs, culture, society, etc

Thank you for all the advice. I'll be working my way through it. The real issue was with the health check and its cost. We had taken it to the GP and he couldn't do it because of the xray and HIV test. However getting back in touch with China it might be possible to have some of it done when he arrives and a more basic health check here.