Just because the government demphasized the requirements of the language does not mean it is needed less. One can point to the record of Chinese students that are taking the SAT, IELTS, TOEFEL etc. to study in other countries.
Today I just read that a city in Western China declared its tap water undrinkable. More and more Chinese want to leave China as well. Not so long ago the Canadian government discontinued an immigration program where a certain amount of investement would get you residency. The Chinese were lying on their applications as to their actual assets. The Chinese "millionares" get together last month to sue the Canadian government. That is how desperate some want to get out.