No, a check of your Chinese graduation documents by Akademische Prüfstelle/APS is not required for the application process, but it will be required later in case you are selected for participation in MediaAC (no matter if as a scholarship holder or as a self-funded student). If you are selected, you should prepare to let your documents be checked during spring of the desired year of student intake. This will include a personal interview with APS, most probably in the month of May. Students whose degree was completed on location in Taiwan, Hong Kong or Macau do not require APS Certification