A bit late in responding here but the Chinese will no longer accept applications using a GCAA licence based on information from a colleague and it seems to be a limitation that applies to all airlines.
You can apply using the exact same licence you used to enable your GCAA licence to be issued, providing it's valid and has the relevant type rating endorsed. You also need a letter from the GCAA to verify that your UAE licence was issued based on this other licence. A bit tricky for those from Europe with the different variations of licence (National/JAR/EASA) over the years, unless you used an EASA licence to obtain your UAE ATPL.