Originally Posted by
AlwaysAisle
No, Chinese Consulate will not issue you a visa when you do not need one. Chinese Consulate will issue visa only when presented with a document (i.e. airline ticket itinerary, invitation letter from Chinese corporation or academia, etc.) showing a need for Chinese visa.
If that is indeed the case with some consulates, you can present an itinerary or ticket that will satisfy the need for a visa. The ticket can be fully refundable, and there is no need to enter China on the same itinerary or ticket used to obtain the visa.