The TCM hospital on Dongfeng Dong Lu (across the street from the Kunming Hotel) has a lady who speaks English. Her English name is Jennifer. Also, the doctor I saw for acupuncture treatment there spoke a little English as well.

Hehe..perhaps 'hypocrisy' would work here.
You know, this bunfight reminds me of the scene in Life of Brian - "What have the Romans ever done for us?" "..err, the aquaduct? All cultures absorb from others.

I think Quester's summary says it best. And as Alien stated in another thread, Chinese culture is not as fragile as some people like to think (to do so smacks of 'colonialism' in itself, no?)

@thewonderer,
anniversary of Tiananmen Square massacre (June 4th)

I imagine you can apply for a student visa in the first instance, but to do so you would need all the documentation from the uni/school to support your application. That means enrolling and paying fees up front, and having the school mail them to you (I think original documents are required). If you have the time, that's fine. The first way you mentioned is easier, and the Chinese gov't. don't mind taking two lots of visa fees from you.

Tempranillo is a grape variety..just depends on how it is made. Some are good, some are bad. I've had some excellent bottles of Spanish and Australian temp.