thank you for stating the obvious but my point is that the traditional big visa processors are asking for way too much documentation that the Chinese consulate doesn’t even need according to my travel agency. Airline ticket (for visitor visa) or standard business letter invitation (for business visa) is all that is required. Source: just renewed mine last month and mine came back in 5 days and half the cost of going through our corporate processors and half the amount of documentation.

Back to OP, if you continue with your current processor I would just make dummy reservations. Can’t be harder than trying to get the hotel to make up something for you.