Rupert Hogg , the chief operating officer of Cathay Pacific Airways , has resigned following difference between the Hong Kong - based airline and the Chinese government activity in Beijing . The new CEO will be Augustus Tang Kin - annexe , according to theSouth China Morning Post , and the airline released a flaky statement about the future .
Hogg ’s surrender comes as Cathay Pacific found itself in the middle of a heated public debate about the speech rights of workers in Hong Kong . Hogg , who became CEO in May of 2017 , has been critical of the pro - democracy protests that are currently in their 10th week , and he warned employee against showing up at “ illegal ” gatherings . The protests helped shut down the Hong Kong International Airport twicethis workweek , produce newspaper headline around the world .
Cathay Pacific lately fired two cowcatcher and two airport stave for participating in the demonstrations , reportedly at thedirectionof the Chinese authorities , though it ’s not immediately clear what theatrical role Beijing had in get Hogg out of his position as chief executive officer . Paul Loo , another administrator at the airline business , has also step down accord to theSouth China Morning Post , which is owned by the online commerce colossus Alibaba .
A protester shows a placard to stranded travelers during a demonstration at the Airport in Hong Kong earlier this weekPhoto: (AP)
Curiously , the news show of Hogg ’s surrender was first announced by Chinese - state media issue CCTV and not Hong Kong media . A statement from Cathay Pacific ’s chairman was brand to another Taiwanese - be given medium retail store , CGTN , that referred to Hong Kong political sympathies and not to the personnel change at the airline :
“ Cathay Pacific fully supports Hong Kong ’s implementation of the ‘ One Country , Two Systems ’ principle and we have full authority in Hong Kong ’s bright future , ” say John Slosar , chairwoman of Cathay Pacific in the statement .
The “ one country , two systems ” precept refers to Hong Kong ’s handover as a British colony in 1997 . But more and more Hong Kongers find like China is exerting too much influence in the semi - self-directed area , specially after an extradition bill was put in that would make it easier for Beijing to bring so - predict felon to the mainland .
A statement to news show siteRapplerwas even more unpaired , tell that the chief executive officer free in order , “ to take responsibility as a leader of the Company in sight of recent effect . ”
The manifestation in Hong Kong show no foretoken of let up , though protests at the airport were stop yesterday because of an injunction prohibiting who could inscribe the terminals . The airport appear to be manoeuvre normally today .
Beijing is collect troops in Shenzhen , just over the border with Hong Kong , in an ominous polarity that the Chinese government may be quick to use the military in an effort to put down the protest . Photos published to the Associated Press overnight show armoured vehicles devise at Shenzhen Bay Stadium .
Cathay Pacific ’s stock price has plummeted this week , hitting a 10 year low . And as Gizmodo pointed out earlier this week , rich multitude really detest losing money .
There are quite a few people in China who are miss a fate of money right now , all thanks to disruptions cause by the protests , and they ’re probably not going to give up until they ’re raking it in again . Meanwhile , millions of young people in Hong Kong realize that this is a defining here and now for them and they have no plans to live under China ’s authoritarian formula . With both sides refusing to back down , matter can get mussy in a hurry .
Whatever happens , our hats are off to the dissenter . It ’s not tardily standing up for commonwealth , and many Americans are with you , even if ouridiotic presidentisn’t . Stay solid and stay put good .
ChinaCivil Rights
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