I currently train Chinese Airline cadets, thankfuly in Australia.
I see the same attitudes here, with the students but they are swiftly but temporarily stamped out. We have no qualms about failing a student. They soon get the message, but I gather they go back to their old ways when they go home.
They can be nice to your face, and backstab you at the same time.
Having said that, I have made some good friends from the students I have had over the years. Some are actually as good as western guys n gals. I thinks its the ones who have travelled outside china in their formative years that makes the difference.