Local government invitation letter

Today my husband (foreigner) went to china embassy here in malaysia, with the necessary document and invitation letter from the travel agent from china, but embassy staff told him that they cannot use invitation letter from the travel agent, the travel agent must get a local goverment invitation letter for him or from china tourism office, the travel agent said if less than 2 people, they cannot do it for him. Can u advice me on this? We dont know what to do anymore. Since no one can do it for us.