Licensing requirements---more difficult in HKG?
Could be so, but I remember two CX guys that appeared in Singapore years ago and were refused a validation because....they could not substantiate their flying time with a bound, stamped & certified log book, as required by the S'pore CAA. Interesting to note also that two from JAL could not do so as well. They all went away very disappointed.
Rejection rate excessive...well would agree with you there, especially for the local guys.
With the reduced wage expectations in Asia today, suspect that the CX guys will come out on the short end....maybe they should "vote" with their feet.