Shenzhen Airlines, as underlings of Air China, has launched a 3-month Status Challenge until 2018/Dec/31 to Phoenix Miles Silver or Gold, the latter of which is basically a Star Alliance Gold with the same validity as normal upgrade (~=12 months). The gold challenge requires 12 segments operated by and only by Shenzhen Airlines. You don't have to be a local resident of China to apply for this promotion but you have to read T&Cs in Chinese version: http://sf.shenzhenair.com/szffp-web/activity/travelDetail/ef6b59b0c4824620808c30b703a05e2b