China is Cathay, isn't it? It would take a very long time to get there from Britain, or from the northern countries where the Vikings lived. Quicker if you have magic, of course, but it would still be an undertaking. It is supposed to be interesting, though. I'm afraid I don't know anything about Japan at all.
Humans are beings as well. It is only a means of classification. If centaurs think we are stupid it is proof that they aren't terribly intelligent after all.
I shall have to wait a while. I wanted to bring a dog to school, but the headmaster got irate over the idea. He said 'Black, this is a school and not a zoo,' which if you ask me is rather silly because who would put a dog in a zoo? But certainly no more exotic animals would be allowed, so I'll have to wait until I'm older.