The wording is ambiguous.

The policy in Chinese states that a 联程客票 (联=connected;程=journey;客=passenger;票=ticket) with confirmed date and seat is needed. In its basic sense, it means a connecting ticket.

What may be confusing is that 联程, or rather 联程机票 (机=飞机=airplane), is also a term specifically used for connecting flights on the same itinerary (one ticket number), issued by the marketing airlines or a travel agency.

The meaning of an onward ticket appears to be more appropriate here, considering:

• I cannot find on any government website, e.g. in FAQs., where they explain the term to have the specific meaning in the aviation sector. The only specification is that the ticket must be confirmed before arriving in China.
• this interpretation is consistent with the wording of the policy which is independent of transportation means. In fact Beijing West railway station and Shanghai/Tianjin cruise ports are explicitly included as where 144-hour visa-free transit policy applies. One of the first cases reported by the state news agency was an American couple who arrived in Shanghai by cruise and left by air.
• this is also consistent with some experiences posted online.
• it is the wording used by IATA database:

Nationals of France with a confirmed onward air, cruise or train ticket to a third country within 144 hours, starting from 00:01 on the day following the day of entry. They must:

• arrive at and depart from one of the following locations: Hangzhou (HGH), Nanjing (NKG), Ningbo (NGB), Shanghai: Hongqiao (SHA) and Pudong (PVG), Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal, Shanghai Wusongkou (Baoshan) International Cruise Terminal or Shanghai Railway Station; and
• have documents required for the next destination.

However, as with all such policies, the airline or groud staff, especially for non-Chinese airlines or less experiences ones, may nonetheless disapprove of this interpretation, and opt to instead require a through ticket. This may be a risk you need to take.

The wording is ambiguous.

The policy in Chinese states that a 联程客票 (联=connected;程=journey;客=passenger;票=ticket) with confirmed date and seat is needed. In its basic sense, it means a connecting ticket.

What may be confusing is that 联程, or rather 联程机票 (机=飞机=airplane), is also a term specifically used for connecting flights on the same itinerary (one ticket number), issued by the marketing airlines or a travel agency.

The meaning of an onward ticket appears to be more appropriate here, considering:

• I cannot find on any government website, e.g. in FAQs., where they explain the term to have the specific meaning in the aviation sector. The only specification is that the ticket must be confirmed before arriving in China.
• this interpretation is consistent with the wording of the policy which is independent of transportation means. In fact Beijing West railway station and Shanghai/Tianjin cruise ports are explicitly included as where 144-hour visa-free transit policy applies. One of the first cases reported by the state news agency was an American couple who arrived in Shanghai by cruise and left by air.
• this is also consistent with some experiences posted online.
• it is the wording used by IATA database:

Nationals of France with a confirmed onward air, cruise or train ticket to a third country within 144 hours, starting from 00:01 on the day following the day of entry. They must:

• arrive at and depart from one of the following locations: Hangzhou (HGH), Nanjing (NKG), Ningbo (NGB), Shanghai: Hongqiao (SHA) and Pudong (PVG), Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal, Shanghai Wusongkou (Baoshan) International Cruise Terminal or Shanghai Railway Station; and
• have documents required for the next destination.

However, as with all such policies, the airline or ground staff, especially for non Chinese airlines or less experienced ones, may nonetheless disagree with this interpretation, and opt to instead require a through ticket. This may be a risk you need to take.