Crossed wires perhaps?
Heard from a "Birdseed mate" that both them and CX251 bound for LHR had commenced taxi, when a very embarassed and apologetic Ground Contoller informed them of a hitherto unpublished, short notice flow control introduced by China on their route. The restriction was not FL dependant and resulted in a small delay for CX251 and a 40 min delay for the Speedbird. The Speedbird parked on J, adjacent the 25L hold, and shut down 2 engines.
This all happened about a week ago. Could this be what the SCMP was referring to?
Good time to be on SLS methinks.....