Beijing used their influence to remove the CEO, plus a few undesirable minions through the GD approval scheme. I wouldn’t underestimate their power to influence the shareholder balance or three yearly management contract.
Would an Air China management be better or worse for employees? It’s largely academic. Most crew are in a holding pattern waiting for a clearer view of the future. For better or worse a new management will make that picture clearer which is all anyone is asking for.
(If they were asking for more rather than hoping for it they’d already be in a fight for it, which they’re not)