Yes good point, and again can I say I do genuinely appreciate the level of debate here. I do wonder how much of that potential pot of MAN-China is already tied up via existing loyalty and reward schemes with Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways.
I think with the commercial (and political,remember Qatar and Etihad are projections of national power and prestige, Emirates too but more balanced and commercial IMHO) focus on the UK, the ME3 have captured market share over their hubs at the expense of direct services, like Cathay.
Also get's odd when you remember Air China and Cathay are in different alliances !
There's some serious market fragmentation now at MAN going East.
I agree the absence of a single European visa like Schengen is a killer, however I think that penny has dropped. The Tories, however much some may disagree do start to pay attention where real money is concerned.