You have to go in person to apply for an ID card, and it doesn't matter who brings it, because now you need to register your fingerprint information on the spot, and you must be present in person to do it.
Article 10 of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Resident Identity Cards stipulates that to apply for a resident identity card, a registration form for applying for a resident identity card shall be filled in and a residence booklet shall be submitted for examination.
Article 3 The contents of the resident identity card registration include: name, gender, nationality, date of birth, permanent residence, citizenship number, personal photo, fingerprint information, validity period of the certificate and issuing authority.
Citizenship number is a unique and life-long identity code for every citizen, which is compiled by public security organs according to the national standard of citizenship number.