News Analysis This August, Chinese state-run paper Economic Information Daily ran a scathing 6,000-word article that condemned the country’s online gaming industry as promoting “spiritual opium,” raking in billions while creating a “new drug” addiction among the people, especially youth. The article was republished in dozens of outlets and followed by similar commentaries in state media and official social media posts. Within days, Chinese gaming giants like Tencent and NetEase saw their stocks plummet by 300 billion yuan; on Aug. 30, Beijing imposed strict regulations on online gaming, limiting minors to three hours of playtime a week. The onslaught by the press and authorities against the gaming industry came on the heels of major incidents involving other major players in China’s massive tech sector. On June 30, rideshare app Didi Chuxing debuted on the New York Stock Exchange without Beijing’s approval, earning it swift punishment. And starting last year, the …