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I assume it also has just as much to do with Microsoft buying it.

See also: skype.

Not just because they don't want Chinese code stored on foreign servers, but because they want it on servers they have easy access to.

Even if this is far-fetched, it's not about what we think, but the risk China perceives.

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Microsoft / Bing is allowed in China.

Flip the perception: In China, US govt doesn't have MS levels of access to info, potentially including protected user data & non-public hosting /admin data.

Even if that's not the case, being in China avoids (most?) NSA choke points.

Honest question: are you suggesting that microsoft buying github makes it harder for the Chinese government to access the servers?

No (well ultimately yes, but not the point)- it's easier for US govt access. China doesn't trust that for its users, whether right or wrong.

Thanks for the clarification, that makes more sense.

Personally, I would think microsoft would be easier to "motivate" to share given they probably have more investments in china which could be used as leverage.

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