I don't agree that Air China Pilots should be paid the same as the Western expats. Western expats have mostly paid for their own ab initio training and their own type rating which is an investment which deserves a return. At Air China the Pilots are young college graduates who are sent to the U.S. for 18 months to learn to fly, and speak English, all fully paid for plus salary, they then return to China for a fully paid for type rating.
After about six years they become Captain and are paid a salary which is more than 15 times the local average, having been nurse maided from day one. They fly with highly experienced and motivated expats and then suddenly think they should be paid the same.
In my opinion if you are a Captain under 40, fully healthy, prepared to put up with a little
and are working for any of the European non career Airlines then I think China represents a very good opportunity for return on your investment. Ten years commuting to China will make you full career money with Ryanair.It is true though the Chinese Pilots have security and you do not.