OK
Although the cost of getting to another Asian country apart from China may be expensive.
Flight to Singapore/Korea + free visa maybe > Flight to Beijing + visa fee
The OP may have plans to visit China anyway? Couple of days in Beijing whilst waiting for the visa....
Do alot of Chinese students study in France?
Scrutinisation doled out to Chinese students may not be applicable to the OP as a US passport-holder.
Of course the OP's best bet would still be the French Consulate in HK.
If you never ask, you'll never know.