Nigerian finds home away from home in Zhejiang

Editor's note: The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China set out a blueprint for China's path to modernization, with the aim of guiding the development of society in the new era and contributing positively to global progress. Throughout the year, China Daily will run a series of picture stories that highlight important points on this journey. In this 10th installment, we focus on an English teacher from Nigeria who promotes a county in Zhejiang province online by speaking in the area's dialect.

"Snake gourds, snake gourds, hanging down from trees; snake gourd seeds from Changxing are the best of their kind..."

In the tranquil village of Zhongshan in Changxing county, located in Huzhou, Zhejiang province, Akin E. Brown speaks fluently in the local dialect as he promotes one of the village's specialties through livestreaming.

Brown, who calls himself Ankesu in Chinese, is a Nigerian native with a warm smile. After graduating from the International College of Huzhou Normal University in 2022, Brown chose to stay in Changxing, where he pursued a career as an English teacher.

However, his connection with the local community has extended far beyond the classroom. Embracing the local customs and dialect, Brown ventured into the heart of the countryside, eager to share the unique charms of Changxing with the world.

Armed with a smartphone and a keen eye for storytelling, he uses the popular social media platform Douyin to showcase the beauty and heritage of Changxing.

Through a series of engaging short videos, he has introduced the world to the county's exquisite snake gourd seeds, flavorful ginkgo nuts and renowned hairy crabs, all local specialties that have captured his heart.

Every weekend, Brown traverses the bustling streets and serene countryside, immersing himself in the local culture. He eagerly embraced the chance to learn the local dialect so he could communicate with the residents in their native language. With each interaction, Brown's bond with the community grows stronger, and his appreciation for Changxing's rich heritage deepens.

Brown has already made more than 100 posts on his Douyin account, "Brown Loves Changxing", captivating nearly 10,000 followers and amassing over 110,000 likes. His genuine passion for the county has transformed him into a local internet sensation, a bridge connecting the world to the captivating allure of the area.