What a sorry tale. I have no doubt that Cx acted as a response to pressure from China.
But this is not new for Cathay to use bastardry and intimidation. Some may remember how they set up the head of the cabin crew union, a Filipina, in around 1991 or so following a successful cabin crew strike. This very brave lady went on to sue CX and win an undisclosed settlement. Who could forget the 49er's.
A pox upon them and their sycophants.