I haven't seen anything posted online about people doing such after 2008. I've only been able to talk with cyclists (both nationals and locals) in China who have done so (post 2008 protests). Speaking Chinese isn't supposed to help when you're caught if you're doing something stupid, though it will help in pretty much every other circumstance. However speaking Chinese will allow you to talk with local cyclists and inventive agents and officials who can provide insight and official documents. It's not like Australia or Canada yet, all those great little pieces of paper from officials don't come with a barcode or RFID and aren't traced in a computer system (well, some of them are). You're always taking a risk with this kind of travel, it's about risk mitigation and finding the work arounds. Those are a significant part of what makes it an adventure, at least for me.
Anyway, I'm sure you'll have an awesome time Yan. Ride safe.