Washington Post

choi

(1) yu Jie, The Myth of China as a Harmless Tiger. Feb 13, 2012.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/op ... QAb7DxBR_story.html

Quote:

I arrived in the United States a month ago, thinking I had escaped the reach of Beijing, only to realize that the Chinese government’s shadow continues to be omnipresent. Several U.S. universities that I have contacted dare not invite me for a lecture, as they cooperate with China on many projects.

"I believe that China is a far greater threat than the former Soviet Union ever was; unfortunately, the West lacks visionary politicians, such as Ronald Reagan, to stand up to this threat. President Obama might perceive the Chinese Communist Party as a tiger that does not bite and, hence, is looking forward to Vice President Xi Jinping’s visit this week. Will Obama, a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, openly request that China release Liu Xiaobo, a Nobel Peace laureate imprisoned by the Communist Party? Why did Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton have the courage to meet with Burma’s Aung San Suu Kyi but not to meet with Liu? Is it because Burma is weak, while China is strong?

(2) Sarah Butrymowicz, In China, Private colleges, Universities Multiply to Meet Higher-Education Demand. Feb 13, 2012.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wo ... QAf1ey8Q_story.html

Quote:

"The number of private universities in China has soared to more than 630, up from 20 in 1997, according to a 2010 analysis from the Center for International Higher Education at Boston College. In all, the private institutions enrolled about a fifth of Chinese college students in 2008.

"In the late 1990s, fewer than 10 percent of Chinese age 18 to 22 were enrolled in higher education, according to government data. Now the figure is about 27 percent — or 30 million students

"In China, a college degree is often crucial for upward mobility. Competition is intense for available spots. By contrast, the United States is focused on persuading students to enroll in college and to stay and complete degrees once they do.

"Unlike their public counterparts, private universities across China emphasize practical skills over theory. The Civil Aviation Management Institute, for instance, teaches security guards-to-be to operate metal detectors. Students in Xi’an International’s automobile college learn how to fix cars, whereas at a public university they might learn how to design them.

"Private institutions typically charge double what public ones do — about $1,500 a year, compared with $750

Note:
(a) Langfang
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Langfang
(b) The report is reproduced from Hechinger Report, Feb 13, 2012 (the same author, title).
http://hechingerreport.org/conte ... cation-demand_7648/


(3) Where China Invests: Not much in US. Feb 10, 2012 (graphic).
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wo ... g0Q74Q_graphic.html

(4) Ovetta Wiggins, Prince George’s Adds Chinese Immersion at Elementary School. Feb 9, 2012.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/lo ... QA824L1Q_story.html

Quote:

"The immersion at Paint Branch "Elementary School] has begun with kindergartners. They are taught Mandarin Chinese words and phrases alongside English for lessons in math, science and other subjects. The program will expand from year to year, adding grades, as the students progress through sixth grade.

"Harris said the Chinese immersion won’t hinder teaching the core curriculum. Instead, she predicted, it will do the opposite. Since the school launched its Chinese initiatives four years ago, students have continued to meet state testing standards. In 2011, more than 80 percent of students were proficient in reading and math.

"In the 411-student school, People’s Republic of China flags are nearly as visible as American ones. Chinese characters for 'boys' and 'girls' are prominently displayed above restroom doors. Inside the language lab — which recently received a $25,000 state grant — Chinese picture books, sculptures and posters adorn the room.

"Marty Abbott, a spokeswoman for the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, said Chinese still trails Spanish, French, German, Latin and Japanese in public school enrollment. Seventy-two percent of students enrolled in foreign language classes in 2007-08 studied Spanish, Abbott said. About 4 percent of them studied Latin. Less than 1 percent studied Chinese, according to the council.

"Arlington County began teaching middle and high school students Chinese during the school day in 2010. The Fairfax County school system offers Spanish in 17 elementary schools, French in one and Chinese in nine.

Note:
(a) Prince George's County
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_George's_County,_Maryland
(immediately north, east, and south of Washington, DC)
(b) College Park, Maryland
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_Park,_Maryland
(a city in Prince George's County; home of the University of Maryland, College Park)