Many Chinese feel like they are on another planet when they visitforeign countries of completely different cultures. Probably the same istrue to foreigners who visit China. When walking down the street foreignvisitors would be followed and stared at by curious Chinese kids， whichwould make them uneasy and uncomfortable. This scene of lookingat foreign visitors as E.T. really runs against the Chinese tradition ofhospitality. It would also make the Chinese feel uneasy and ashamed too.
Fortunately as more and more foreigners come to China， people becomeinured to foreign faces. The Chinese people perform the duties of hostto foreign friends as the old adage tells them to do： “To be joyful to havefriends come afar.”
The Chinese people try their very best to make foreignguests “feel at home”， whether they come to China on business or onpleasure trips.
Some Chinese have settled down abroad; some foreigners remainin China. Both of them have taken a foreign land as their home andsuccessfully mingled with the local society. The ancients roved aboutseeking rich pasture for their domicile; and it’s nothing strange forcontemporaries to choose places favorable for their existence andadvancement in life. Europe and America have attracted some Chinesewith their advanced science and living styles; China has attracted someforeigners with its high-speed economic development and a long-standingcivilization. “During the 1980s， Chinese went to America seeking theirdreams，” as an American said. “Now it’s time for Americans to cometo China with opportunities everywhere.” The enterprising spirit is animportant link in human genes and it’s the instinctive human nature to goafter opportunities.
We have interviewed a number of foreigners living and working inChina. During these interviews， we found all of them have， more or less， “a Chinese complex”。 They like Chinese culture， and are happy with their lifeand work here. Many of them have taken China as their home. Of coursethe Chinese people have never regarded them as outsiders. Leading acomfortable life and intermingling joyfully with the local folks， they sharea similar sense of happiness， though their experience may be different. TheChinese call them “Lao Wai”， or old foreigner. The phrase does not havea negative connotation and is a type of greeting to friends coming backfrom afar. “Lao Wais”， with sentimental feelings to China， have deeplytouched Chinese people. The achievements of these “Lao Wais” would bean inspiration to friends abroad.
It is interesting to have personal interviews with these “Lao Wais”。
Through these interviews people can see the changing China and thechanging life of “Lao Wais” much better. So it is meaningful to share withothers their experience living and working in China. The interviewees areall common people and their accounts are all common stories. But manytimes these stories have rocked our spiritual world.
During the course of working on the book， we have got assistancefrom many friends. We cannot possibly express our full， sincere thanks tothem. By sharing these touching stories with our readers， we hope thisbook will bring us joys of colorful life and food for thought.
Lu Yang
October， 2007
