In a way, it is not a big surprise that Sony would refuse this request/demmand from the Chinese. Sony, if I’m not mistaken, is a Japanese owned corporation. Both countries have existed in an undeclared ‘Cold War’ status for years, at least when culturally speaking. Both are ancient cultures, capable of high quality art, science, architecture and engineering. Both have shown an astounding capacity for cruelty to other human beings. Both have had eras where they considered it their fate and their due to own much of the functioning world.
It has also made nearly $2bln already. Anybody who wanted to see it in China has pirated it. Not only that they only get 1/4 of the gate.
So it is a great way for Sony to tell the Chicoms to eff off, get some great publicity and actually not really cost them.
It’s a very smart business decision.