Spot on. PVG is just a nightmare for delays, absolutely the worst in the CX/KA network. (Off topic slightly, I wonder if CX/KA would consider to stop issuing tickets where there is a sub 2 hour connection in HKG if the origination city is PVG. Discard the MCT for ex-PVG flights, particularly after 12noon. Or at least make the passenger insisting on the shorter connection sign some waiver of acknowledement that delays ex PVG are rampant and usually outside CX/KA control....remember the thread a few months ago when a poster proactively asked about his tight PVG-HKG-EWR connection? On our advice, i recall him/her being vigilant and showing up at PVG early, maybe snagging an earlier flight or something? I seem to recall he would've missed his connection had he not proactively made some changes.)

The PVG afternoon/evening staff must literally deal with freaked-out and angry passengers with onward connections every single day. They must have this act down by now. Which is why, in the context of this being PVG delay capital of the world (with also coincidentally is one of the top 3 outports for CX/KA daily frequencies), I bet CX/KA would've had a reasonable solution, although perhaps not precisely to the OPs liking in terms of timing. My point is, they must be very well versed in these problems at PVG.

To the OP: I would be curious what class and care bucket you bought, to Brunos point. Was either sector perhaps limited by the fare bucket? What was the cost? It doesn't make the situation right, but it would help provide some context. I've been following this thread earnestly....I know very little about all the issues brought up, and your unfortunate experience and all the back/forth on here has absolutely been a learning experience for me