Yeah, me either. It's a Belarusian thing. http://eng.belta.by/society/view/belarusian-state-university-dalian-polytechnic-university-to-open-institute-of-distance-learning-112092-2018/
I think it's significant - another of the increasing ties (as mentioned) between Eastern European and Chinese universities. Interesting: Belarus shows China their early editions of Karl Marx - China shows them Confucius. Something for all. I get the feeling we're going to see a lot of Chinese cultural /educational presence in the West - starting with Eastern Europe. Back in the 50s, when I was in high school, there used to be a joke: "The optimist learns Russian; the pessimist learns Chinese." I'm not sure what the pessimist learns today... I love my cheap but well-made lap harp that was made in Belarus. That's the only thing I have from there. Maybe in a few years, with the cooperation of Chinese schools, I'll be buying something from Belarus that's more technologically advanced and brings Belarus more money. Who knows?
I think you're right, but it's already far beyond Eastern Europe, such that it's already prevalent enough to be controversial: http://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2149592/spy-risk-or-cultural-asset-divide-over-chinas-confucius
Controversial in the U.S. - not in Eastern Europe, I guess. I can see it now. The Chinese will make contacts with Canadian schools and Trompeta (as Abner calls him) will again call us a "national security risk" - as he is already doing over other matters (Canadian exports of steel and aluminum to US.)
