Instructing the aircraft below (CPA) to break off the approach and climb through the aircraft above (UAL) in such close proximity with the higher aircraft completely unable to see the other one seems like a questionable decision by ATC.
I thought so as well (still European thinking) but remember Cathay was told at least twice to maintain visual separation , was definitively behind ,1500 ft lower. 10 kts slower and given a diverging heading , no real chances of collision .