Chinese tourist visa for German citizen on E3 visa with 3 months valid alien registration card

I am doing research in Korea and are on a 1 year E3 visa, which will expire on 1st November 2012. My alien registration card will also expire on the same day.
I read that for a tourist visa application as an alien I require an alien registration card which is at least 6 more months valid. Can I still apply for a tourist visa to China or is it absolutely impossible?

thank you very much!