"Chinese Poplar" is probably Pawlonia, or what the Ozzies call Kiri. Very light (2x balsa density), not bad strength/density. One of the fastest-growing trees around, mostly plantation-grown.
Manufacturing quality is probably the most important factor, and if Chinese, is probably suspect, at least for marine applications. Buy a sheet, chop to small pieces, inspect and boil test vigorously. A sheet I had here had a bit of a curling (potato chip) problem, but that was probably exacerbated by the extremely low humidity we get at times around here (Colorado). Wasn't 1088.
Mike