For China watchers and blockchain observers, China is a complex nation of extremes in its passionate embrace of blockchain technology while trying, with all its might, to stomp private cryptocurrencies out of existence. From banning crypto trading and mining to massive nationwide testing of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) now at the cusp of launch, China’s big moves this year may be shocking but in fact were not unexpected. Here are the top China blockchain-related stories in 2021 that you should be aware of. E-CNY trials China got an early start studying what a central bank digital currency might…