"Foreign Village Head" Settles in a Tranquil Chinese Town
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Despite his physical appearance, Brian Linden is revered by villagers in a rural Xizhou township in Southwest China's Yunnan Province as a "Yang Cunzhang", translated as "foreign village head", and he is reportedly settled in this small, tranquil Chinese town.
That title didn't come easy, as he has helped to restore numerous heritage buildings and settled in the village.
Linden was born and raised in Chicago and first visited China in 1984. He did not know much about China during his first visit, but he recalls that Chinese people instilled pride and confidence in him and helped him become a better person.
"I always have this sense of gratitude towards the country," he said during an interview.
The American national has worked in and traveled to more than 100 countries, but says that China left a lasting impression on him and he decided to make the country his home.
He didn't want to live or settle in big cities as he wanted to make the most of the Chinese culture during his time, so he embarked on a journey to find a village that will be more suitable for him to settle in.
After exploring many villages in China, he decided that Xizhou was the best choice.
He told reporters that one's definition of a home should not be confined to a place where one is born, adding that he is very lucky to have been able to define where his home is "based on the values that I incorporated into life from my experiences."
While more and more foreigners choose to live and settle in cities, Linden said he is more inclined to explore the villages in China, interact with local people who are more than 40 years old, and learn more about the local culture, adding that all those interactions have been so pleasant and positive.
To attest to that, he said he has restored a national heritage site into a hotel and education center, and launched it as a cultural exchange platform in Xizhou.
He encourages foreigners to be a part of the community, "I benefit greatly from Chinese peoples' hospitality, patience, and acceptance."
"My interaction with Chinese people for 40 years has been so pleasant and positive. What I wanted to do was to continue this friendship at this level."
He told reporters that he hopes his stay in China will be long-lasting and he can remain a part of China.
"I am proud to be here and be part of China's story." He concluded.
Reference: Finding Villages in China
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