I think it is very strange too.

First of all why would China let bitcoin get so far before waving the ban hammer around. It's not like any of the bitcoin companies are independent of government elements anyway.

Secondly, why do it in two goes. First they banned banks and financial institutes from dealing in bitcoins, then they banned 3rd party payment processors from dealing with exchanges, two weeks after the first ban.

Thirdly, it's sounds to me like these decisions are all made by the PBOC, haphazardly, It just feels to me like the central bank and the state are not taking the same stance on bitcoin.  It feels like the bankers are trying to protect their interests while the people want bitcoin.