What's your field? My hubby and I are both CS majors and there was no problem for us to apply a H1-B working visa back to U.S.A in China a few months ago.

I don't think you can get your visa without the interview unless you got one H1B visa before in China and your status has NOT be changed since.

Very easy to get my HiB renewed in China. Took no more than 2 min

I have heard some of H1Bs get checked. Although finally they all get the visa, but it takes 2-3 weeks to get it.