Using Vertical Speed Mode to smooth out power changes during step climbs as suggested by ACMS does not work at many places in China. PRC ATC often insists on waiting for you to level off before giving a transfer to the next frequency for further climb. You can try to smooth out the power changes by using energy management i.e. letting the aircraft accelerate during the level segment while you change frequencies. However, you may come up against Vmo before the next climb instruction is given, resulting in another thrust reduction.
Also, we really have to distinguish between customer service standards and operational standards. The average passenger really has no idea about operational standards behind the scenes. Although if baggage is being piled up at emergency exits then this may give a glimpse of the rest of the operation. Nor, despite what Fendant says, do most passengers really know what the standards are like in the flight deck. To get an informed opinion of operational standards, ask any Dragonair pilot who has been doing the wet leases in China for the last 2 years (but not in a public forum!).
Regarding de-icing fluids - Dragonair accepts Type 1 de-icing fluid because it has no real choice. Type 1 is all that is available at PRC ports. Type 1 fluid is perfectly safe for de-icing the airframe, however its anti-icing properties are useless. That is why you will see a Dragonair aircraft sitting on the ramp in Xian for 3 hours waiting for the snowing to stop while other carriers will come and go oblivious to the hold-over time requirements.