Earlier this month, Amazon, Apple, and Facebook each welcomed China’s top Internet regulator to their headquarters, for visits marked by smiles and laughter.

Looking at photos from the meetings, it would be easy to think the companies have a cozy relationship with the world’s most populous nation. In fact, 2014 was a lousy year for U.S. tech firms doing business in China, and next year may be no better.

For the past 12 months, Beijing has clamped down on foreign technology companies operating within its borders. New President Xi Jinping has overseen a new wave of protectionism that aims to strengthen China’s own tech industry and guard against cybersecurity threats exposed by Edward Snowden.

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