MOST Americans don't hold hands

Hahaha yes. Either he likes her or he just wants sex. I hate games, i just make everything open. Just ask him directly. Whats going on?

If he sais he likes her and wants to see her, then your in.

If he isnt very direct talking things like " well see what happens" theres a chance he just wants to touch a boob.

If a Chinese person asks a stupid question, does that mean they are a moron?

well,If he takes her as girlfriend what will happened?

If he not ,so what?

I think, it is doesn’t matter what he thinking. But what in your friend mind? Does she really like him and enjoy the time with him?

he do and Willing to make she fill happy and comfortable?

and she do same things to him?

 if two people spend  time together and both fill good and happy , don t  think to much  ,just let it go it way.

she should just do what he asks.  He probably knows best.  if she doesn't could miss her chance.  

A western man will only hold the hand of a child, or a woman he is in a relationship with. He obviously considers your friend to be a girlfriend or at least he wants her to be his girlfriend.

It means he is interested in her (you? ) but it does not make a couple yet, in my opinion. They are a couple when they decide so (or when he introduces your friend to his mates as an important person.
Also, if they're spending time together, alone, doing fun stuff and he wants to kiss her... that's a da

What else he wants to grab? Holding hands doesn't explain the context in full. 

May be more open people does this and don't care what others think about them.

so others may think wrong as Chinese old people are more traditional but foreigners are open minded.

 @Sevenyan, what do you think this is?

Tell her to leave a few love notes on his desk after class, and maybe they'll get their first kiss during prom night!

If he is american all he wants is to fuck her. thats there tactic.