Can I apply for a student X type in Shanghai itself, or do i have to do it in my home country?

I currently have a close family friend staying in China with her grandmother and aunt, unfortunately her Visa expires in May this year, she is at the moment looking to study in Shanghai, she is waiting to hear from the university, if she has been accepted or not.
She is at the moment struggling to understand how the student X type works.
She wants to Know if she must physically come to South Africa to apply for her student X type, or could she apply for her student X type while she is in China?