Patrick Nijs served as the Belgian Ambassador to China from 2009 to 2013. During his tenure, he made a life-changing decision to retire early and stay in China – a country he loves deeply. 🌏💖
He and his wife, who hails from Yunnan, settled in the province and built their own home nestled in a serene mountain forest. 🏡🌲
After retiring, the couple embarked on an inspiring project to contribute to the ecological construction of Yunnan. Together, they planted 450 trees in the local area, fostering a greener and more sustainable environment. 🌳🌱
Reflecting on his decision, Ambassador Nijs shared, \"I took early retirement because I wanted to stay here. My life is reaching the end and I know it'll end in China like fallen leaves return to their roots.\" 🍂❤️
