If he meant English native speakers he would have said "speakers" instead he said "foreigners". He wants English friends, god knows why though.

I think he means making friends with English people.

Buy them a round of drinks, offer them a cigarette and then comment about football or the weather to stimulate conversation.

That's it, youre one of their "Chinas"

If you wanted an international school you would just buy the license and start again. If you're buying the school you'd have to settle all the debts for unpaid wages and lost tuition fees, plus whatever else they racked up. In the current climate I think it's far from a safe investment hence why it went bankrupt before someone was willing to take a punt.

No one is going from these international schools to the top schools. No one can do that without deserving it. But in many countries, the US especially, it's a business and they welcome students who can come, spend time in language courses and foundation levels before getting what they wanted. Students at these kind of schools international have the money to do that and at both ends, no one is really that bothered if they have the knowledge or not.

I believe the blame was left at the door of the current economic climate in this schools case. Obviously whoever was in charge of finances should also take the blame.