Well, I don't think it's totally propaganda. He might not had to choose as much classes as a normal student and probably he was judged easier. But he made it through 6 years and it's believable. Think Deng Yaping, she was one of the greatest female TT player and get bachelor's degree in chine, master's degree in the University of Nottingham and PhD in Cambridge! And took him 11 years (1997-2008). She got these degrees in Universities which are well respected around the world and which were totally not biased. Now Ma Long in more than the half time of that with probably easier circumstances could make it.
Language: Chinese players might not like to speak english, but this doesn't mean they can't for some extent. Jörg Roßkopf mentioned that his english became better. Well, even I would prefer to use my own language, especially if my not perfect english could ruin my otherwise crystal-clear reputation. As for the University degree: I don't know what's the case in China, but in Hungary you must have a B2 in any foreign language and then you can have a degree. And B2 is like a joke (hmmm...I only have a B2 too...
). And I've heard about a japanese singer, who occasionally sings in english with terrible accent and who always refused to speak in english during interviews, meet with an american girl on an airplane (they sit next to each other) and they could speak pretty well in english.