[chernevik]

They are trying every vector of influence. Maybe they're trying to work up to a board seat. That would give them strategic and operational insights that would help them monitor and censor. And, position them to co-opt any China entry under a "partnership".

Also: Many Chinese are accustomed to considerable collusion and shady dealings among partners. Simply publicizing a stake could make many Chinese leery of FB, and less likely to use it politically.