LAX is currently a very competitive market for airfares, especially TPAC. Have you considered carriers such as CZ or MU, with connections in China (CAN/PVG/PEK, no visa required for transit)? Alternatively, look at SEA, where DL has been aggressively increasing capacity or even YVR for the CX flight connecting in HKG.

With some carriers, such as DL, you don't tend to get the cheapest fares if you purchase tickets too early.

It would probably be better to credit miles to some other *A program since SQ miles expire IIRC in three years, regardless of the activity in the SQ FF account. UA still seems decent for redemptions or the OP could investigate less obvious choices, noting that cheaper coach fares earn few or no redeemable miles in most FF programs.