No. The reentry permit only can be applied inside US. Based on the immgration law, your friend needs to apply for the SB-1 visa to comback to reinstate the green card validity.
See:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/returning-resident.html
https://china.usembassy-china.org.cn/visas/immigrant-visas/returning-resident-visa/
