[bdd8f1df777b]

It was that in the beginning. Then Zuckerberg had a change of heart and was willing to cooperate with the Chinese authorities on censorship and came to Beijing multiple times to express his newfound friendliness. Yet the Chinese government still shunned him. Not sure why.

[ethbr1]

Because the CCP understands network effects and first mover advantage.

And they see a locally-owned social network that can be repurposed for government surveillance/control as a strategic priority.

Facebook obeying the rules today is less important than Facebook being compliant with (and quiet about) whatever edict is handed down next year.