In addition I found this.
Shanghaiist: China tightening F visa applications?
This situation is serious with a capital S for a lot of people who's visa runs out in the near future and has need to go into the mainland many times in the course of the period being stated.
One wonders how long -- and IF, HKG will respond to this stupid blunder by some over zealous politico trying to please his masters without thought to the damage to trade relations this will have.