Here's my situation:  I have received a B.A. from an American
University with a 3.8 GPA.  I have also spent six months at an
intensive Chinese Program at Cornell University.  I am scheduled to
attend another formal program in China- but don't really want to. 
Instead, I want to move to Shanghai (accompanied by my wife), and work
on my Chinese while I develop my own export company.

But, I know in order to get a visa I need to get a letter of invtation
from a language school, or have employment information from a
registered company in China.  For someone like me, who wants to move
to China for a long period of time (at least 2 years), but on my own
dime, in my own way, not to any specific school or company- what are
my options for a visa?

Is there any hope?  

Also, what about the laws on entrepreurship?  I have planned for every
part of my business except for being kicked out of the country once it
gets going.  Is there a way to be certain that I can legally live and
work there?

hi
check this site for help about Company Registration

http://www.bycpa.com.hk/faq/faq.html

for the work visa check this
http://www.goinglobal.com/countries/china/china_visa.asp


http://www.china.org.cn/english/GS-e/44.htm

http://knows.jongo.com/res/article/12360 This is an article about work
visa in China.And you also can find legal information you want to know
on this site.Hope that'll help and good luck.