A major challenge to China developing a modernized commercial airline industry is the lack of availability of commercial airline pilots in China. The profitability of this industry is being threatened by long delays due to a shortage of pilots. This is further compounded by the fact that the high speed railway system is beginning to win over large amounts of Chinese commuters from the airline industry. To deal with this, China seeks to import labor and bring in more foreign commercial airline pilots. A main reason for this shortage is the relatively low wage that commercial airline pilots in China make compared to pilots in other Asian countries. It will be interesting to see whether the wage of commercial airline pilots in China will increase to attract more pilots.
Further Reading: http://qz.com/194407/china-is-trying-to-scoop-up-the-worlds-airlines-pilots-to-cope-with-its-own-shortfall/