From what I understand from my Chinese friends who follow the CBA, its not as competitive as the D-League. Each team is restricted to only 2 foreign players and the bottom 3 teams from the previous season get 3 (but one needs to be asian). So since there is less potential nba talent it is less competitive. But the salaries are significantly better in China than the D-league. I think D-League salaries are between $12-24k and in China it can be anywhere from $60k to $100k plus. And if you are a star over there you can make even more in endorsements. Plus the majority of you cost of living expenses will be taken care of by the team. The major drawback is that if you sign in China you have to stay for the full season (we got lucky with Twill because he was released from his contract due to a death in the family, and DJ White's team didn't make the playoffs so he was available). So you can make more in China but you are locked into the contract and are less likely to be able to get the call up to the NBA.
That being said, since the Chinese teams generally have to pay way more for foreign players to get them to come over and because they can only have 2 on their roster, the guys they do attract and are willing to pay for tend to be better than your average D-Leaguer and often times veteran nba guys.
Guys like JR Smith, Aaron Brooks, Tracy McGrady, Eddy Curry and Wilson Chandler all did stints over there (some just due to the lockout). Stephon Marbury is actually really big in China. And then you get younger guys like White, T-Will, Quincy Douby, and others who go over trying to make a name for themselves and some money.