Mr.David, you can apply for China tourist visa through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Kuala Lumpur or the China Consulate-General in Kuching. China embassy in Kuala Lumpur only accepts visa application from diplomatic/service/official passport holders. You need to prepare the below documents:
1. your passport
2. one passport photo
3. visa application form
4. round-trip flight tickets

Dear Mrs Linda,

Thank you for your kind advice. I will be applying these visa's for myself, my partner and a friend. Does the applicant need to be there in person or it can be done by a runner?
My round flight tickets were purchased thru AirAsia in a printed version from the system. Will that be aceptable?

You can submit the application in person or ask someone else (eg, your friend, your relatives or a travel agency)to submit it on your behalf, but the application by mail/post is not accepted.

One person can submit the visa application for you, your partner and your friend.