Ci has long been a favorite airline to deride for many and after its series of accidents, one to actively distrust. I am no fan of Ci and actively avoid it.
That being said, its not fair to put Ci on trial by conjecture. Just because we believe them to be an outfit with pilots who "could and would" fly over Cb due to sheer incompetence and/or stupidity, added to whatever else we care to throw in the condemnation pot.
They are certainly not the only ones to have encountered turbulence in this area suffering injuries to passengers. How about these incidents?
Hong Kong-bound Flights Hit Turbulence
Air Mauritius flight hits strong turbulence near Hong Kong, 16 injured - International Herald Tribune
TIMEasia.com | Safety Tip: Listen to Those Boring Demos! | 12/13/99
Passengers slightly injured as Cathay Pacific flight hits turbulence. | Transportation > Air Transportation from AllBusiness.com
Severe Turbulence hits Cathay Pacific Flight CX708 from Bangkok to Hong Kong
EVA Air denies negligence in Japan turbulence injuries - The China Post
IM sure there have been other incidents. It would certainly have helped Ci's case if other planes had reported turbulence just prior or after Ci's incidents of course. Apparently there were no such reports made?