KA has been a Cathay Pacific operation since January 1990, 26 years!!
KA has been financially controlled by Swire and Cathay Pacific and 100% managed by Cathay Pacific since January 1990.
The Cathay expansion in the 80's was because of Dragonair, 'the best thing that happened to Cathay was Dragonair', quick command.
Cathay were awarded the long haul routes Dragonair had applied for and CX had to operate them.
Cathay decided to cancel the KA MD-11 long haul orders, KA was the launch customer of that aircraft.
Cathay had to operate as Dragonair into China out of political necessity, most likely survived beyond 1997, the demise of CNAC, by offering the mainland Chinese CNAC owners a steak in Dragonair.
The whole thing has been part of Cathay, except the name for 26 years!
Maybe we should all show the Dragon some respect!
Those are the facts, whether you like it or not.