‘commies’? They are the furtherest thing from communists. They are a dictatorship. Proper communists are the Australian government

Actually, you are missing something (several somethings I suspect). Communism is an economic system, look it up. The Chinese are definitely NOT communists, but crony capitalists with all the state-owned enterprises and associated corruption. Many, many Chinese have become extremely rich under this system. This would not be possible under proper communism. So, yes, Australia is economically more communist than China despite also being politically democratic. China is politically a dictatorship, under the rouse/guise of old fashioned revolutionary communism. It’s quite a scam they (Xi and his party) are pulling on over a billion Chinese citizens.

While not communists, the Ozzies are certainly on the socialist spectrum with extreme taxation, regulation, and high benefit levels.

You have to bear in mind that CX is only a small portion of the Swire empire. A useful entity perhaps to move things and capital — perhaps potentially even launder stuff that needs laundering — but a tiny bit of a much larger picture.

It’s that larger picture that counts. CX being one of several pawns.

I have no doubt that if that pawn were to become problematic for other rooks or bishops it’d be tossed aside pretty quickly.

But it’s tough to figure out how this whole thing goes. Could be a flash in the pan; could be an excuse for a radical intervention and change.

Not going to argue the pros and cons of socialism or even a welfare state. History is an excellent judge of those. It is important, however, to assess whether a welfare state is a safety net for those who cannot or rather a handout to able-bodied adults to buy votes.

As for tax rates, I regard anything much beyond those assessed in HK to be excessive, which probably tells you all you need to know about my views on the welfare state and big government. I accept that there are valid opposing views. I simply don’t agree based on my knowledge of history and current events. I acknowledge that utilitarianism isn’t always fair, but neither is rights fundamentalism.

PS - An 85% tax rate destroys almost all incentives to make more money. Would you work EFP if it were going to be taxed at 85%? I certainly wouldn’t.

Cathay Pacific and sister carrier Cathay Dragon, reportedly under pressure from Beijing, have publicly supported the Hong Kong government’s handling of the escalating protest movement. On Wednesday, the company reiterated its “firm support” for the city’s embattled government.SCMP
2 pilots sacked presumably to deter other pilots from in any way supporting the protesters.
Cathay may not think so but a fundamental principle of the rule of law in HK is that a person is innocent of any criminal offence until convicted after a proper judicial trial with a right to legal representation and proof of guilt beyond reasonable doubt
Suspicion is not enough nor can guilt be inferred by association.
I have no idea what the second officer on the Manchester flight actually did to warrant dismissal but that firing and the firing of the other pilot tells us ( again) that Cathay will not stand by or support it employees when pressured by the HK or Chinese authorities or by its stakeholders.
Lets just go the whole way, remove the Cathay logo and rebrand Cathay & Cathay Dragon as China’s minor second tier airline

I agree Roy. An utterly offensive post naming well known figures of that era and using disgusting language to defame them. I was working for CX in 89 and it offered the best terms on the planet at the time. So cgwhatever was obviously turned down as to disparage the deal of that time makes no sense. That was eons before B scale, 49ers etc. Nobody does care about whether the poster was a TRI and one wonders what the justification of stating that is. It is a real downfall of anonymous Internet forums when people are allowed to say such things when they never had the guts to say it to anyone’s face. In summary very bizarre to be so bitter about CX, yet apparently gone through the interview process successfully. Obviously failed to get in. By the way where are the moderators to allow such public and disgraceful naming of long retired CX employees?

Didn’t literally no one care?

Given the political situation in HKG at the moment may I suggest that there are probably more pressing matters to discuss than a passing comment from a fellow pilot about how an airline and one applicant was perceived 3 decades ago.

Many, many people from around the world will no doubt be reading this for serious updates on a situation with truly global ramifications. ‘You smell, ‘cause you do!’ is not going to matter much if martial law is declared - if indeed it could be heard over the clatter of tank tracks down Hennessy Rd - those things make a racket on bitumen and concrete!

Seriously, I mean no offence to anyone here at all, but I trust information from intelligent people (generally:):) ) here far more than I do the SCMP and second hand Western journalist reports.

The risks for Cathay, Hong Kong, Taiwan and indeed the world are obvious. And whether anyone got into CX during its VERY golden years or not, I’m certain that however it was expressed a great deal of sympathy exists for all involved.

Good luck, best wishes and be aware anyone involved has great support from many who will be reading and not commenting from all around the four corners of the circular globe.