Hi guys! if you read the Visarite site on visa you would find this:Effective August 2012,, Tourist Visa applicants must provide one of the following documents:
A) Photocopy of round-trip airline ticket AND hotel reservation; OR
B) Invitation Letter for Tourist Individual/Group issued by a Duly Authorized Tourism Unit; OR
C) Private Invitation Letter by individuals. If the invitation is issued by an individual, a photocopy of that person's Chinese ID is required. If the inviter is not a Chinese citizen, a photocopy of the inviter's passport, together with a photocopy of inviter's China residence permit is required.
The Private invitation letter sent by individuals in China must include the following items:
(a) Personal information of the applicant: name, gender, date of birth, passport number, etc.
(b) Information concerning the applicant's visit to China: purpose of the visit, date of arrival and leaving, places to visit, relationship between the applicant and the inviter, and who will bear the cost of the applicant's accommodations in China.
(c) Information of the inviter: name of the individual, phone number, address and signature of the inviter.
Invitation letter can be submitted as a photocopy. However, original invitation may be requested at visa officer's discretion. Pineau,look at what [c] said if you want to skip airline tickets requirement, if you can provide a qualified private invitation letter from China.