Is it necessary?

As lots are presented recently in this forum concerning H1B status after activating AP, I almost get lost. To be safe to keep your H-status if you visit parents in China with AP, is it wise to apply for a new H-1B visa from the US embassy in Beijing? If you do so and you do get the new H1B, I have the following questions, 1)is that H1B the continuation of your old H1B; 2)will it affect your pending 485, which is based on your original 140, which in turn is again based on your original H1B as employment based petition.

At the same time, there are rumors which claims that one does not even need any visa back to US if one holds a valid H1B, which I don't think it's true.

Inputs are greatly appreciated!