Gweilos is an expression all local chinese use without any malice or racist intent.
He was not a racist, he despised everyone, local and gweilos alike. You see, he was under the illusion he was the best of the best.
In fact, those close to him knew he lived in cloud cukooland. He really believed he could run a virtual airline by outsourcing all functions except sales. He saw all other sections as an unnecessary cost. He talked as though he knew everything and he mistook people's lack of response to his views as agreement. He obviously did not notice the rolled eyes and smirks
In the end, the more practical Swire princelings saw through the sham and ditched him.
He was placed in charge of China business but when he realised that he was to have nothing to do with the new JV, he woke up and new it was time to go.