[Video provided by the Publicity Department of the CPC Shanghai Committee, the Cyberspace Administration of the CPC Shanghai Committee, the International Publicity Office of the CPC Shanghai Committee, and Xinmin Evening News]

After completing his term as Belgium's ambassador to China in 2013, Patrick Nijs chose to retire in China rather than continue his diplomatic career in another country. He headed to Yunnan province alone, where he began cultivating barren land with no water, electricity, or roads, practicing permaculture in a nation prioritizing environmental protection.

Nearly a decade later, he was invited to Deqing county in Zhejiang province to pursue an even greater vision, helping create an international demonstration zone for ecological civilization.

Now 75 years old, Nijs continues to devote himself to his ecological dream in China.

Watch the video to discover his remarkable journey.

Sources: Publicity Department of the CPC Shanghai Committee, Cyberspace Administration of the CPC Shanghai Committee, International Publicity Office of the CPC Shanghai Committee, Xinmin Evening News