No, you really have no choice. I emailed Beijing on this question. In fact, it doesn't even matter where she is living now. If she was born in the south, Hong Kong will handle the paperwork, even if she lives in Beijing now.
They usually issue your first visa as a 3 or 6 month, but limit it to 30 days and a single entry. My second visa was good for a year, but only 2 entries, still 30 days. Things have changed a bit, I'm told. Check your nearest Chinese Consulate (Ontario?). The website should be easy to find.