Hy ! I got an invitation letter from our business partner in china ,but some one told me that

Y ! I got an invitation letter from our business partner in china ,but some one told me that an invitation letter must be issued from ministry of foreign affairs . As i told to my partner , he replied that, ministry shall not issue visa ,if you never before visit china .you must have china entry . So i just want to ask you ,how can i apply first time china business M type?