The only way aI was able to start doing it was by contacting PayPal Hong Kong.  But then when I told them I had a debit card from Bank of China, and not a local credit card, they told me that at the time they were not geared to accept debit cards yet.  That was almost two years ago, may be different now
I resolved the problem by setting yp an account using my GF Chinese name and her credit card account.  But you have to contact PayPal Hong Kong to do it from China, they will tell you what current requirements are.

if you havent already set up online banking with the boc. set up paypal intl account. link your bank account and debit card separately go through the verification process

you chinese credit/debit card must support double-currency business, about this situation you could counsel with your bank service man. then you need connect your bank card with paypal account and received paypal confirmed  information. the last you can purchase online through paypal account.