Applying for Visa on behalf of someone

Hello,
myself and a friend are planning to go to Shanghai for New Years Eve. I know we need some form of visa, that said my friend will be away for sometime prior to this trip, not returning until December 15th, if I have her application form and all the needed documents, can i apply / submit her application when I am applying for my application? I understand we may have to pick up the actual visa in person. Please advise, thank you