I agree - Chinese universities are (still) not able to match with the standards at decent universities abroad.

But in terms of the time it may take to complete for Chinese unis such a catch up process successfully may take a longer period than the 20 - 25 years you have mentioned. I am less optimistic - or say: more pessimistic - with regard to the amount of time it may take.

The reason is that such a process of change does not include new academic standards in teaching and the qualifications of university teachers; to restrict the reform process to such rather formal levels would mean a rather superficial implementation of reform(s). Instead, it needs a change in culture and mentality as well - a stronger focus on individual freedom to research and exchange views in a controversial academic debate is needed. The latter requires an environment that encourages individual freedom rather than restricting it.

It is a sociocultural aspect of such a process of change, and it is radical in the sense that it is targeting and challenging traditional Chinese socioculture with its traditional stronger focus on the group rather than the individual forming part of a group. Historically, this aspect of traditional Chinese socioculture had first been formed and influenced by Confucianism. There is a continuation of this to the present day with respect to the current political system in Mainland China. In other words - the traditional social values of Confucianism come in a new form - that of communism. Socioculturally, it will take at least three successive generations to change all that, and three generations already make a time-span of some 90 years.

The Process of Change, although dynamic in its very nature, is a gradual process....