On the CRH trains in China:
I personally like them, however, there are some problems:
Buying a ticket for a domestic Chinese flight takes me 1-2 minutes on ctrip online.
Buying a ticket for a train in China is always a logistical challenge (if you do not have a Chinese RFID ID Card). I have many stories to tell. There are small family-owned train ticket sellers in big cities, however, their opening times do not work, if one has to work all day long.

A second thing:
I know quite a lot of business people, who do not like to take a CRH High Speed train to Beijing.
Reason: Have a guess?
Well, it is very hard to get a taxi at rush hour at Beijing South Railway Station. I myself waited for over 90 minutes (with lots of luggage, so no Subway for me), while it was NOT raining in Beijing.
It is easier to get a taxi at Beijing Capital Airport, hence, business people prefer to fly.