I think the FFXIV/MS issue do with MS not wanting to open Live again for the game to connect with the PC/PS3/PS4 (soon) players, they seemed to want their own private servers - Square werent willing to go that route and I dont blame them, can you imagine spening the money to get Xbox FF running and then risk not getting the subs to sustain it?
As for China - its nice its going there but a shame that they wont be able to play with us :/ a million more tanks/healers could be helpful in the DF queues!