Cathay Pacific provides the strongest example yet of how perceived missteps in Beijing's eyes can harm businesses in the territory.
"I've never seen anything quite like this," said one prominent businessman in Hong Kong, who didn't want to be identified. Hong Kong's MTR Corp runs the subway system in the city. It's used by the majority of Hong Kongers and is seen as a world class transport service. While MTR Corp doesn't make as much money from the Chinese market as Cathay Pacific does, it does operate some lines on the mainland andThe harsh reality is that companies will have to"bend like bamboo", and do what Beijing wants if they want to keep servicing the Chinese market, says Steve Vickers who runs a political risk consultancy in Hong Kong.