They are probably expecting users to download Gapps themselves. They don't have any other choice here; it's launch without them or don't launch at all.
They are pressured to do this, if the US wasn't so dickish about it they would just release a certified Android.
Except Huawei has quite a bit of Asia for themselves.
Except Huawei is already the second largest phone manufacturer in the world.
And phones in China already ship without the Play Store.
it’s not anemic in China though
China has its own harmonized app stores, the issue will be how the phone will work without he G-stack for non Chinese markets.