I'm afraid you have to apply for a new passport to apply for the Chian visa, since the China embassy always require the passport with at least 6 months validity before expiration and with at least 2 blank pages.
For China tourist visa application, you have to submit the following documents:
a. Your valid & actual passport. The passport must have at least six (6) months validity left before expiration and at least one blank page left in it.
b. One completed Visa Application Form with one additional passport photo (black & white or color is acceptable).
c. hotel booking and round-way air tickets.