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Frankly I don't remember. But Bill was decent as he had worked on his game and got coaching for sometime. Apparently, when Microsoft was entering the China market he had to engage in ping-pong diplomacy. It is a practice that dates back to president Nixon's time that is explained in the book Guanxi: The Art of Relationships (Microsoft, China, and Bill Gates's Plan to Win the Road Ahead)

https://www.amazon.com/Guanxi-Art-Relationships-Microsoft-Ga...

I am not saying that their policy is good or that I agree with it. I just think there are two sides to the picture.

Many countries have protectionist policies, in particular in the automotive industry. The United States even had limits on Chinese parts imports[1]. China had an interesting policy to allow its automotive industry to grow through joint ventures with foreign companies (e.g. Hyundai[2]). They have done somewhat similar things with tech companies like Google and Microsoft, to nurther talent and guanxi[3].

Also in regards to Malaysia, the government has threatened to ban Facebook before[4], however not as a mean to allow local competition to grow.

[1] http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/content/protectionism-cannot-save... [2] http://repository.brynmawr.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1... [3] http://www.amazon.com/Guanxi-Art-Relationships-Microsoft-Gat... [4] https://globalvoices.org/2014/08/13/malaysian-government-thr...

Edit: Changed tense in regards to America's policy on Chinese imports.

⬐ yummyfajitas

I'm aware that protectionism is rampant around the world and that the US does it too. I also oppose that and believe US protectionism harms US consumers.

⬐ None

None