If CX could look beyond the myopic Swire Prince attitude they would have integrated the business of KA and stood down the pilots awaiting a recovery.
The shotgun approach is no different to QR, thinking they will abuse the HK employment laws as they are a big employer in HK. Unfortunately they are not part of the CCP, which is pushing back against the scions of HK.
HK has been an aviation hub for decades with the mainland being one of their biggest markets, but now the mainland is pushing back and creating their own brand of prestige. CX will face a struggle with this new dynamic.