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China and ISince I was a small boy, I have always been interested in China; I loved the food, found the culture intriguing and have had the opportunity of being partly exposed to the culture. How did I end up in China? I was invited by a Canadian Chinese friend to be a business school teacher in China and in the summer of 1997 I took them up on their offer and intended to stay for only few months. From day one, the sights, smells and sounds captivated me. I lived in a small corner of Haidian and enjoyed walking, biking and generally immersing myself into the neighborhood. During the second month, I walked into a room and saw a pair of the most beautiful almond eyes. To make a long story short, my Liu Fang and I have been together ever since and married in 2000 and now we have two sons David and Michael. China can seem very different to foreigners – the huge amount of people, the many differences and the rapid pace of development intoxicate all first visitors. Life in China can seem very challenging or very exciting. A friend told me once that in China that there was no middle. In some ways they are correct but in the more than ten years here, I have also learned that many things are a matter of perspective and that one must be flexible. I have opened my heart to China and been rewarded for it. In my first year in China, I met a government official named Liu An Sheng and for the next few years helped him with a Peace Scroll Project that has been signed by a large number of world leaders, business leaders and ambassadors in Beijing. Through this activity, I also had the privilege of meeting interesting people, being invited onto the Board of Directors of Shanghai Great World of Guinness and I was further exposed to many wonders of China. I have given speeches at the Great Hall of the People and Daoyutai State Guest House and other places. During meetings with Liu An Sheng, I also had the opportunity of assisting him with following up to get books for Chinese libraries via an EU grant by doing web research and also being called on at various times to help be a foreign bridge or to give perspective. I am a Trustee and Director of the United Foundation for Chinese Orphans and can proudly boast about the great work that organization does for kids that need the most help. It is heart-wrenching sometimes but on balance feels good to be a part of making a difference. As a Jew in China, I have always felt welcomed believe there is a Yo Yuan Fun between Jewish and Chinese people. Not many countries in the world are so accepting and I am grateful to China for the respect they afford to all people. The Olympics are an important milestone for China. As a student of history, I really am astounded about the great strides that China has made. Mao Ze Dong and the government simplified the Chinese language to make it accessible to all, worked hard to build the foundation for a modern society. Deng Xiao Ping opened China to the world and ingeniously set China onto the path it is on today. Zhu Rong Ji and many others worked hard to change the business and legal framework. China not only is an important member of the world community but the quality of life for all people in China has kept dramatically improving. The most important thing that China has blessed me with? My incredible wife, my brilliant and handsome two sons, my Chinese family (we get together for all of the holidays and birthdays, etc.), and my Chinese friends. Ten years ago, if you told me that my Chinese mother-in-law would be living with my wife, kids and me, I would never have believed it. Today, I would have it no other way. My wish is that the world will see the greatness that is China when the planet’s attention is focused on it during the Olympics. 周博渊 (I have been honored with a great Chinese name by my Chinese friends)…
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