For normal tourist and business visas it certainly is. A US citizen applying for a Chinese visa has little concern about being denied so long as they do not in

For normal tourist and business visas it certainly is. A US citizen applying for a Chinese visa has little concern about being denied so long as they do not in any way resemble a reporter. A young adult Chinese citizen applying for a US visa is probably going to be turned down and everyone will have to travel to a consulate for an interview. Despite a pile of Chinese visas I have never so much as laid eyes on a Chinese consulate.