Flight to Chengdu from Melbourne with plane change in Hong KOng

Plan to stay 5 days in Chengdu.

Flight is with Cathay Pacific into Hong Kong, switch flights at HKG Airport within 4 hours to Chengdu with Dragon.

Flight out of Chengdu is to Hong Kong and then a couple of days later to Melbourne.

Will the incoming flight be considered as "direct" from Australia and qualifies for a 144-Hour Free Transit.

Thanks heaps for your feedback. Cheers