I half believed that theory Dan, until the Mainlanders "blocked" the HKA A380 order at Paris this year (in protest against EU Carbon Tariffs).
So it appears the Mainlanders are no mugs, and well able to manipulate HKA's order book when they see fit.
So, which is it?
Mainlander regs on imports can be circumvented via HKA order book,
or
Mainland Government has ultimate control of HKA order books?
The former assertion is pure innuendo - the latter is proven fact!