They learn two syllabaries and two Chinese systems. They use heavy practice and rote. Snowflake students can’t handle that and it is not used.
Rote memorization. I think by the end of 6th grade they’re expected to know 3000 Chinese characters (Kanji). On top of being able to read that many characters, they have to write them as well, and there is only one ‘right’ way to do it. If you are left handed, you have to use your right hand to write. Now they do go to school 5 1/2 days a week and their school year is significantly longer. And after school most will spend the evening in ‘cram schools’.
Their school system, which is modeled after ours, does not look upon itself as a ‘way to keep kids off the streets’ or a baby-sitting/day care service and it shows.