There is a difference between who is "Designated PIC" and who is "logging PIC" as the "PIC on record" can, under his authority and the agreement of the 2 PIC's, allow the other PIC to log the time as he is the sole manipulator of the controls of the aircraft. It is really not that unusual and common practice at Chinese carriers and in fact is what they require and instruct to be logged.
4Holer,
We'll have to agree to disagree on this. I don't think that practice is anywhere near as common or accepted as you may think it is. Certainly it is not a practice that I've seen accepted at my carrier in China, or at the various carriers and jurisdictions that I've worked in prior to China.
I wish you good luck in explaining in your next interview how you were logging PIC whenever you were the sole manipulator of the flight controls (does that include pee breaks?) even though you were not the company's designated pilot in command.
Regards,
ELAC