To put an end (hopefully) to this argument;
1. Beggars
can't be choosers, financially this could be the best deal and such deals DO NOT come from the West
!
2. GoSL made similar deals with the Chinese many moons ago for the SLAF and some of those are yet in service and were the real work horses throughout the period of turmoil
.
3. Even if the the Chinese aircraft were the best in the world would you believe that the FAA/CAA would readily grant them the status and approval they deserve ? NOT A CHANCE
.
IT'S BUSINESS AND SELF INTEREST OF THE US AND EUROPE THAT MATTERS PRIMARILY HERE AND NOT RELIABILITY !!!