[Buddha-l] First ever foreigner to become monk in China?

[Alberto Todeschini]

Dear All,

Today's Corriere della Sera, one of Italy's most important newspapers, 
reports that according to an article in the China Daily, an Italian has 
become the first ever foreigner to become monk in China.

Is this correct? No other foreigner has become Buddhist in China? 
Perhaps we should add "in modern times". Even so, would that be correct?

Here is the article:

http://www.corriere.it/esteri/07_novembre_17/cavalera_monaco_buddista.shtml

If you are interested, you could try ask Google to translate it into 
English. It sometimes does a half decent job with some European languages.

Thank you for your thoughts,

Alberto Todeschini