Rupert Hogg, former CEO of Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd, is being widely hailed as a hero for refusing China’s request he provide them with the names of all Cathay Pacific employees that took part in the ongoing protests in Hong Kong. China, which is the second largest shareholder of Cathay through state-owned Air China Ltd, also ordered Hogg to suspend these employees from work. Hogg responded. He provided Beijing with a list that only had one name on it -- his own. Hogg then resigned on Aug. 16 rather than betray his employees and endanger their safety, according to reports. Oddly, news of Hogg’s resignation was first made public by China’s state-controlled media outlets...Cathay Pacific officially announced Hogg’s departure 30 minutes later.

China seems to be floating the story it had Hogg fired to tamp-down on the widespread support Hogg is getting for his courageous decision to resign. On the other hand, Hong Kong media stories concur Hogg was asked to hand over a list of Cathay employees. Hogg responded by providing his own name. Hogg’s heroic defiance prompted many Hong Kong netizens to praise him with comments....