1

You could try to apply for a 6 month visa when applying in London. Or start your China trip in Hong Kong, where at present you can get a China visa same day or next day when applying through an agency.,

2

It may be hard for him to apply for a visa in one of the overseas countries if he's not really resident in any one place, not just for timing reasons but because the Chinese missions wherever he is, may not accept his application.

If you have a few days in August to make it happen in the home country while he's there, plan to do that but get ALL the supporting documents you need ahead of time, and maybe use Rush processing if available. Alternatively, plan your November trip to route first through Hong Kong just as drumbrake says, and plan 3 work week days (non week-end, non-local holiday) there.

If his home country allows for issuance of a second passport, that might be an option. Some countries will do this for frequent business travelers that have continuous long overseas travels and have to keep a passport at all times, yet also need to simultaneously get visas.

3

Depending where he is, and nationality, have him use a Visa service, as mist international business people do...

4

Thanks jiejie for your response, i went to China quiet a few years ago and a really dont remember the Chinese visa process taking so long.
Unfortunately time is not on our side so Hong Kong is defo out of the question.
Thanks all the same.
Julie