Visa requirements, anyone can help me on this issue?

I'll be traveling to China to teach a class and have my F visa and my boyfriend's L type (who's visiting me after I'm done) figured out. I'm confused about requirement #4 on both:

4. Proof of legal stay or resdence status (applicable to those not applying in their country of citizenship)

I'm a U.S. citizen applying for a Chinese entry permit and I'm in the U.S. - it sounds like this doesn't apply for me.

My second question is about requirement #5. If I can't obtain an invitation letter for him, and I'm talking to the people I'll be teaching for about that, does this mean he needs to book his flight/hotel before he's approved for one?

Thanks!