CHINA-MALAYSIA

China sets up first large-scale university in Malaysia
Beijing’s push for overseas influence extends to the education sector, with the opening of Xiamen University Malaysia outside Kuala Lumpur, write Vincent Bevins and Tom Phillips for the Guardian.While the surroundings are still being worked on, China has already opened the doors to the newest component of its global outreach strategy, building a fully functional international university to compete with long-standing American, British and Australian offerings. The first batch of students at Xiamen University Malaysia is already working towards graduation.
The students study in English and mostly converse in Chinese languages. For now, Malay – the language of around 60% of the population – is confined mostly to campus staff working in convenience stories and serving student meals in cavernous dining halls, but officials hope to attract more Malay students as time goes on.
Full report on the Guardian site