Oh, I really didn't know that that is the common practice (AA as well?). I've been flying with Virgin, Qantas, Asiana, and Garuda in their business class on short-haul flights (less than 1.5 hour) and they always have meal service or at least some kind of food on board. Even Firefly offered some snack when I flew with them in economy. So ya, I was surprised actually.

The CA lounge in PEK looks new and well decorated (the one on the first floor, there's another one on the 4th floor I believe). The food variety was ok I guess.