Quelle surprise: Chinese village adds Gallic touch by appointing Frenchman as new official
The Westerner, known locally as ‘Ding Yimu’, is married to a Chinese woman and has lived in Zhejiang province for the past 15 years
Oh là là! A rural village in eastern China has appointed a Frenchman as its official, mainland media reports.
The Frenchman, identified only by his Chinese name, Ding Yimu, was appointed as an assistant to the village director on Monday in Hehong village, in Ninghai county in Zhejiang province, Qianjiang Evening News reported.
The man, who has an MBA degree from an American university, was appointed to help promote the scenic village, which lies beside a river in a mountainous area and is known for the longevity of its residents.
Ding, who is married to a Chinese woman from Ninghai, has been living in the county for 15 years and runs two companies there.
“Now I can participate in the village’s decision-making,” Ding said. “I have voting rights and can give more advice and ideas on [developing] the village.”
Ding, who has travelled to many places around the world, plans to draw up proposals to help improve the village.