1.找一个PR or local担保人, 付1000$ deposit and submit a form to SIR. this need around 1 to 2 weeks working days. but can stay either one month or half yr.cost is abt $100
2.Get the visa in China, 通过旅行社办, 也不用什么邀请信, but can only stay for 14 days. But it is multi-entery. last time my mum came, she applied for both singaproe and malaysia visa. can stay in singapore for 13 days, then go to malaysia and back to stay 14 days more. but the cost is around 2000RMB
But now due to the SARS, i think both are very hard leh