This has been the most obvious move for years. Living in Hong Kong is not possible for anyone but the very rich and is costing Cathay a fortune.. If you have property in HKG you can do it - if not, you can't.
Make Hong Kong the hub where pilots stay in a Hotel and then go back to base. Increase population on bases where pilots do not need expat benefits like Housing allowance. Command courses either on base or not, but you return immediately to your base as a Junior Captain. Acknowledge Base Labour Laws - THAT'S WHERE ALL THIS "OBVIOUS" STOPS.
All pilots come through HKG for regulatory items and other ground training. Stay in Hotel (on allowances) then go back to Base.
Labour Laws……...