First of all, while I de-emphasie IQ, few except stupid anti-chinese racists like that Japanese would say Chinese have low IQ. He probably also tried to give an impression Japan is a western country
IQ has several components, sure literacy is one of them but it got diminishing return beyond a certain point. Who is smarter? Reading LOTR or Toynbee’s ‘A study of History’? Incidentally I do have an abridged version of the latter. 'Reading’is not necessarily Studying.
When I was a kid, my dad bought a set of Encyclopaedia Americana which I read regularly to help my school work.Its studying, not reading comics or porn on board Japanese trains. That japanal basically lamented its not easy to influence minds of Chinese in China.
I’m sure Chinese leaders are well schooled period. You don’t exactly need the average Joe to read Albert Camus to comment on historical figures.
I’m an open mind person and no jingoist. I consider Euclid’s Elements the most influential book ever written and it laid the foundation of logical thinking.