I have tried in the past, but to no avail.  At least Bank of China will not approve a loan to a foreigner unless he/she has lived in Chin for over a year, holds a Z type visa and has a steady job for also over a year.  Of course, must have an account with the bank and show some savings in it on a steady basis.  Since I am retired and do not work, and my sources of income are investments and retirement funds, that is not acceptable.  Now, my GF and I just bought a summer apartment at a beach in Guangxi Province.  Step out of building onto the sand, walk about 50 meters and you are inthe South China Sea.  We paid under 600K yuan for it, penthouse place 125 sq meters.  Placed 200K down payment, financed 400K thru a bank.  But used my GF name only in all papers.  She has not worked in 2 years, I support her fully.  She has no savings, no credit record, nothing.  But the real estate agent charged 2K bribe to prepare all papers required and references, and the loan was approved.  If we had used my name, it would not have worked.  Of course, she signed a private contract stating that she owes me 600K, and the apartment responds for the debt.  We have another one in Nanning, also financed using her name, and same approach.  This one is on the 16th floor, facing the Yongjiang River, new complex, worth when purchased 900K, today is 1.5 million.  So, if you need a loan, and want it from a bank (not a loan shark at 200 % interest per month), get yourself a Chinese GF.

you might not want to do it over your chinese gf, maybe wife, but gf?

even if you have a private contract I doubt that anyone cares in china and if it come hard on hard you might lose. Even if you win she cant pay it back

China does not lend to foreigners, PERIOD.

You can get a credit card but it's secured, so you have to put down 10k and you get a 5-8k credit card. the 10k sits there in case you default on your debt.

Like Happy said it's best to go through a GF or Wife, as long as you can trust them.