Great thread and original post!

I fly CA mainly within the PRC, as well as PEK-AKL-PEK once or twice a year in J with UA award miles. I find them overall on-par with UA, i.e. masters of mediocrity.
Nothing terribly bad, nothing outstandingly good.
Only difference UA vs. CA: the FA smile on CA.

Have taken to HU recently, and it looks like it will be my main airline for USA-China route in the future.
Used to be exclusive on UA EWR-PEK, but now switched to HU JFK-PEK. Was concerned about additional travel time to JFK and the complexity of that airport, but much to my liking, the HU flights leave at ~2am, so the drive to the airport is smooth and the airport is deserted at that time. ^
Planes are comfortable, staff is attentive, food is good. The extra stop in Chongchin or Chengdu is not bad at all, and I can combine it with some work or R&R. Win-win!

HU is becoming my new favourite airline!

OP: when was the last time you tried them?