> More than anything else, the attitude displayed in this article appears to me as an attempt to defer (or pass to the public) the consequences of the above calculated choices.

Say what you will, but "privatize profits and socialize losses"[1] is winning formula, even in a country that on its face rejects socialism.

What's interesting in light of your observation is that companies didn't stay away from China due to onerous demands - in that parallel universe, the executives would be lobbying for China to open its markets. What happened in our world goes to show what they value more: keeping their IP or access to the markets/manufacturing. Now they want to have their cake and eat it.

1. corrected (had repeated 'profits') - thanks @greenleafjacob