Yes, I belief can be. I do have many people whom I chat with, purely friendship and truthful. Well at least i belief they are truthful and I am sure I am...

never simple. just hold your baseline and make it known by anyone who want to get in touch with you. don't worry too much. after all we are just online.

We are all friends here because we help each other learn languages and get to know other countries' cultures. When someone asks you for more which you are not willing to give, then you can simply refuse, as you did. When the other cuts contact with you on this problem then you know this person was not the right one for helping you with your language studies. Don't worry, there are plenty of people eager to study Chinese and help you with your studies! :)

yep the simple friendship exist ^^ I've met many people from Italki and we exchanged our emails and now we're just friends

Well yea. there are some for me who had the same story ... But I believe that there is also a simple friendship in italki within the opposite gender. I have some too .. It is still possible.