Looks like this backs up your post, dodgeflyer:
https://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_...e-tickets.html
Effective 1 January 2017, as a courtesy, Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon will through-check you and your bags to your final destination if you are travelling on separate tickets involving connections with our airline partners. However, through-check may not be possible if your travel begins with an airline that does not provide separate ticket through-check service.