William N. Brown has called China home for over 30 years. "I'm fortunate to live in a country as beautiful as China, in the vibrant city of Xiamen, and at a university as remarkable as Xiamen University," the 68-year-old American professor at Xiamen University said.

Since arriving in China in 1988, he has witnessed China's rapid transformation. As the first foreigner to gain permanent residency in Fujian province in east China, he has authored over 20 books, including Off the Wall — How We Fell for China, which offers a unique perspective on China's reform and opening up.

Admiration built on understanding

Brown's admiration for China stems from a deep understanding of its culture and history. "If you understand China's history, you realize that the Chinese are resilient people with clear goals and persistence," he explains. He recalls the early days of China's reform and opening up when everyone thought it would take five to six decades for China to see significant development.

In just over 40 years, China has undergone a dramatic transformation. Brown attributes this to the determination, innovation, and problem-solving spirit of the Chinese. "I write to my family and friends back in the U.S., telling them about these things. This is China's culture — how can I not fall in love with it?" he said.

When some of his Western friends questioned whether his experience was limited to coastal cities like Xiamen, Brown decided to travel across China to show them a multi-dimensional China. From famous metropolises to remote villages, he has explored the country by plane, train, car and even horse-drawn carriage. The more he traveled, the more he fell in love with the diverse landscapes and warm-hearted people he encountered.

Setting the record straight

Brown's experiences have made him a firm believer in China's future. He is confident that the government will continue to support foreign talent and promote policies that contribute to China's high-quality development.

Having witnessed China's transformation since 1988, he feels it is his duty to share his experiences with the world. When he first arrived, he quickly realized that China was nothing like what the Western media portrayed. Driven by a sense of justice, he began writing letters to friends and family back home to set the record straight.

In 2019, he embarked on his second trip around China, covering over 20,000 kilometers in just 32 days. Compared to his first trip few decades ago, when he had covered about 40,000 kilometers in three months, the difference was striking. Roads and infrastructure had improved dramatically. He has a postscript to add: "The Chinese saying 'To get rich, build a road first' is not just to improve people's financial condition, but also to enrich their minds, ideas, and attitudes."

This article is edited and translated based on the Chinese version.