@harbourdweller, happyguy's statement is in no way contradicting the "real reason" of yours.
we all know it's a cost-based decision. they first wanted to field enough cadets sourced completely from a pool of hk perm. residents but that didn't end well, reason being what happyguy has said, "Cathay Pacific opened up the Cadet Pilot Program to international applicants last year as they were not receiving a sufficient number of applicants within Hong Kong that fulfilled the minimum requirements." and hence, still wanting lower cost pilots with no housing etc etc, the program goes international.
so, you're right, but happyguy wasn't wrong at all, you just missed his point.
ps for anyone reading this, this is a free market and i have no problem with their program aimed to reduce costs (in fact i'm in the pool). supply and demand, you have your terms the companies have theirs, you either take it or leave it, some of us love it and put our head in.