British passport, live in usa, going to visit china. Can I go to chinese embassy to apply for visa?

Rhoda, you can go to the embassy in the USA to do the application. Take the following documents with you when going there: your British passport, a photocopy of the passport's info page, a truly filled application form attached with your bare-heded photo taken recently, the original and photocopy of your USA residence permit, and itinerary proofs for the China trip, such as flight tickets and hotel room booking records.