I Have educational confernce in Hong Kong. Can I apply for the the HK Visa from Chinese Embassy?

I am educationist and have a conference from 30th March to 1st April 2012 at Marriott Hotel HK.I have problem obtain visa. The only way is to get the Cathy Pacific ticket and obtain the Hong Kong visa trough them. They say it will take 4-8 weeks and there is no guarantee that you get visa on or not. Is ther any way out I may apply directly to the Chinese embassy for Visa and get the ticket for any Air lines going to Hong kong. Please help me out. Thanks.