I am a high school teacher who works primarily with international students. Thousands of Chinese students feel the same way as your friend, and their way of dealing with China's educational system is to leave China altogether and go to school in the UK, Canada, or the US. I interview at least one person from China almost every day!

Although I have not had great experience with Chinese educational consultants, as they charge a lot and don't do that much, here is another consulting agency that a lot of Chinese kids use: http://www.ises-inc.net/

Your friend is not alone in how she feels; this is why we have so many Chinese immigrants in the US right now - and more and more are coming.

If you PM me, I can give you specific schools she can apply to here in the US that are great with international students.