why would checked bags come out at HKG if all on one tag to the final destination?
Sorry for replying after a decade .. but the bags indeed came out at HKG (because of United's unwillingness to transfer), however the check-in counter was already open for the next leg (albeit the flight was after 23 hours). So, I dragged the bags from the baggage claim belts to the check in counter and checked in without further issue (I carried only 50lb x 2, not 70lb). The funniest part was - United claimed they do not transfer the bags because HKG does not allow overnight storage of bags due to security, which was clearly a lie, because Dragon Air took it immediately and kept it overnight. (Only difference was I had to go through extra hassle of dragging from baggage claim to the check in counter in different floor, instead of United doing its job.)