The covid-19 pandemic could cause a massive drop in the number of Chinese students travelling abroad. That would be disastrous for many Western universities—but for the Chinese government, it is a geopolitical opportunity. Read more here: https://econ.st/3557Pxz

Further reading:

Find The Economist’s most recent coverage of covid-19: https://econ.st/2CQRUr2

Sign up to The Economist’s daily newsletter to keep up to date with our latest covid-19 coverage: https://econ.st/3l79OHi

Read about China’s college-entrance exam scandal: https://econ.st/3hNdUT3

Only five blind people sat China’s university entrance exam this year: https://econ.st/3gGvsPm

Why Australian universities were accused of trading free speech for cash: https://econ.st/3gDAUlQ

How China is killing academic freedom in Hong Kong: https://econ.st/3gyUQ9E

Read our article about why China bullies: https://econ.st/2EFZkOt

Covid-19 has focused attention on mental health in China: https://econ.st/31yQZVR

How pupils can make up for lost time as schools reopen: https://econ.st/2QsgGRx