Not sure they are such a new phenomenon - I've seen them at several locations in western parts of Sai Kung over more than ten years. I explained them from the outset as the lugens morph, which Robson suggests only occurs in the nominate race, which our birds, of natural occurrence or (much more likely?) not, presumably belong to.
In fact, I wonder where the closest records are from Guangdong? My ignorance, and grateful if anyone can shed any light.