Confused about ticket purchase

Hi there. I am hoping to travel on a bullet train from Beijing to Shanghai on the 8th Feb 2013 (so only a few days before Chinese NY). I'm confused as to whether it’s possible for me to get a friend who lives in China to buy my ticket via the official website of China Rail (as she speaks Chinese and has a bank account). How would I be able to get the ticket, as I understand that only Chinese residents can buy an e-ticket? Thank you.