[verytvse]

> Yet there's no homegrown Android, no Chinese OS, etc.

Not yet, but seeing how they have taken over the hardware industry, I can see them taking on hardware very soon.

Their mobile apps are getting to be quite innovative, with Facebook copying many WeChat features.

> I think you're overplaying the perceived benefit of protectionism.

If you read the book, "Bad Samaritans: The Myth of Free Trade and the Secret History of Capitalism" you'll see that protectionism and IP theft played a major role in helping all modern Western nations develop.

Like the US stealing British tech to fuel their own industrial revolution, and not respecting patents until it benefited tem.

For a more recent example, take a look at South Korea, Japan, Singapore, and Taiwan. All of them are protectionist until just 25 some years ago.