It does seem that there was a deliberate policy of disconnection. English language tuition centres were closed (along with double reduction), and as more students are encouraged to seek a vocational career, there is a view that learning English is a waste of time for many students. Learning English also encourages students to go overseas and permits the spread of poisonous ideas. However, the reduction in international students going to China was quite widespread - and most likely Covid-related - rather than being a deliberate effort to reduce Western students’ opportunity to learn Chinese.