William Brown shares his experience and thoughts on his journey in China with teachers and students at Xiamen University on Aug 2. [Photo/fjsen.com]

William Brown, an American professor at Xiamen University (XMU), Fujian province, returned to XMU after a 32-day visit to 26 cities in China. He shared his experience and thoughts with teachers and students at XMU on Aug 2.

In 1994, Brown, together with his wife and two sons, spent three months driving 40,000 kilometers around China. This time, Brown retraced the route he took 25 years ago, bringing with him nine teachers and students from XMU.

"Twenty-five years ago, living conditions in the western region were very poor. The mountains were bare and the roads were bad. Many cities in the west were dark at night," Brown recalled during the sharing session.

"The biggest change is that the roads are much better, and afforestation has come a long way," said Brown.

Brown also interviewed several locals in the west. "I asked them how their life was, how much it had changed over the years, and they told me, 'life is getting better and better, and the environment is getting better.'"

Brown was surprised to see the rapid changes that have taken place in China and in people's lives over the past 25 years.

According to Brown, at the end of September, he will write a book about his journey and the changes that have taken place in China, hoping to introduce China to the world.

Brown and his family moved to Xiamen, Fujian, in 1988. He was the first foreigner granted permanent residence by the province in 1992 and has written multiple books about China.