Multi-entry visa

I am a USA Citizen currently living and working in Singapore. I am planning to travel to Beijing for business for 5 days in September, and sometime within the following 6-12 months I plan on going back for business and probably again for pleasure. Can I apply for a 1 year multi-entry tourist L without knowing my exact plans other than this first entry? Or is it safer to apply for separate ones? Also I have read that the offices are stricter when applying outside your own country, which is the case since I am applying in Singapore.