I think you might be right on this cultural gap thing :)
In usa they can be into holding to words, and having a bit black & white sharp view on which side of the statment they are, and when big player state their opinion you can expect they are going to hold on their statement and do what they can to put their money where their mouth is etc and sharp legislation and way to enforce it.
Doesnt seem to work that way in china, there is no clear legislation issued, or plan of action laid out, and they are just concerned about lot of scam and money being engulfed in shady scheme.
Need to see what part shady scheme takes in crypto currency economy, and maybe if the shady player leave it because of regulation it can still impact the economy significantly.
But i wouldnt take this statement as too definitive yet, but lack of clarity on their plan is still bit concerning.