I recently exported two vehicles (car and bike) from China (Beijing) to Europe when I permanently moved out.
I didn't cancel registration and also applied for a temporary export permit for the bike, which allows to bring it back before "scrapping date".

Vehicles can only be exported in the owner's name.
A licensed shipping agent has to handle the procedure and also takes care of the physical handling until customs release.
The bike was in a crate with the gasoline tank emptied and the battery disconnected when I sent it to the shipping agent.
I drove the car there myself with an almost empty gas tank and I disconnected the battery when I got there.


Documents needed:
- passport
- working permit (if you are a family member of a working permit holder then you need (his / hers)
- vehicle's green book
- vehicle's blue book
- the very little book - don't know what it is, but important if it is a vehicle which has been imported to China
- purchase Fapiao (if it is second hand, the local tax bureau will issue this invoice based on the value estimated by traffic bureau)
- application form (just sign it, the agent fills it for you)

Procedure is pretty straightforward but it took about 4 weeks before customs released the shipment.
It seems they check a lot of things such as traffic record (needs two weeks waiting time) and if it is really yours.

Btw, shipment arrived at my home in Europe two weeks ago and I'm currently using car and bike with Beijing plates legally - to the very entertainment of many in my hometown.