Agree, I have flown quite often Air China, China Eastern, China Southern and some others like Hainan or Xiamen. They are all on Western Standards and way above union run US legacy carriers.
I also noticed last year and especially now in 2008 the dramatically increased friendliness at airports during check-in and at security. Speedy, efficient and friendly, they could be a role model for the American TSA cowboys and LHR.
Frank