So they are operating CI flights to Southeast Asia with AE painted 738 out of KHH. I guess makes sense since some of the remaining AE code China flights are out of KHH so for aircraft utilization purpose, they have to be rotated to other stations too.

I'm not sure CI really knows what to do with AE besides they need to keep the entity around for China rights allocation. If they didn't have that issue, there is really no reason for AE to exist.