Putting on a straw hat and picking up a hoe, Patrick Nijs sows seeds, weeds, composts, waters, and harvests in the muddy fields. He is an English-speaking farmer, regarded by local villagers as a "foreigner" who cultivates land without chemical fertilizers or pesticides.

Switching to a suit and tie, he transforms into a seasoned diplomat. Born into a Belgian diplomatic family, he holds several prestigious titles: former Belgian Ambassador to China, Lifetime Honorary Ambassador, Global Coordinator, and co-founder of the EU-China Joint Innovation Center…

After completing his tenure as Ambassador to China in 2013, Nijs chose to forgo the opportunity to continue his diplomatic career in Turkey. Instead, he came to a desolate area in Yunnan, which lacked water, electricity, roads, and inhabitants, dedicating ten years to reviving dead soil and restoring the ecosystem. To this day, many friends and family members remain puzzled as to why a Belgian diplomat would choose to settle in China and become a "foreign farmer."

On September 26, 2024, Nijs was interviewed by Global People Magazine in Mogan Mountain of Zhejiang Province.

The European Diplomat Who Retired Early

"I was born in the tropical rainforests of Africa. I often ran around barefoot, felt the leaves, talked to insects and birds, and looked at the starry night sky. I have had a close connection with nature since childhood, allowing me to appreciate its rich diversity." Nijs told Global People. "Africa has incredible biodiversity ecosystem. Growing up in such a place was a special luck and advantage for me."

"My closeness to and love for nature are deep in my genes and lingers in my heart." When he witnessed the excessive deforestation of forests in Africa and many species heading towards extinction, a sense of mission and justice for protecting nature arose in Nijs. "I really want to do something for this beautiful planet."

At the age of 12, Nijs returned to Belgium to continue his education. While in high school, he came across the Tao Te Ching. He said, "Dao operates naturally," which means that humans are part of nature and should seek harmony instead of conquest and plunder. This resonated deeply with his experiences in Africa. From that moment on, Laozi, the Eastern sage, became his closest "soulmate," and he began to develop a fascination with China.

After graduating from the University of Leuven in Belgium, Nijs stayed on as a lecturer in social psychology for eight years. During this time, he noted a viewpoint in a report from The Club of Rome that humanity will soon deplete our resources if we continues to ignore the protection of the natural environment. "From that point on, I started working in organic farming and gardening, closely focusing on sustainable development issues."

In 1986, Nijs joined the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was frequently assigned to positions in Asia, deepening his connection with Eastern wisdom. The first Chinese city he visited was Suzhou, which was undergoing significant renovations along the Grand Canal at the time. "It was beautiful, like the Venice of the East." Two weeks later, he went to Shanghai, "very vibrant, with a lot of bicycles, much noisier than now, full of life." Nijs said that when he returned later, he completely lost his way—skyscrapers had risen, highways crisscrossed everywhere, bicycles had turned into cars, and the airport had undergone major expansion.

"China has the ability to develop rapidly. I’ve witnessed its incredible transformation, and I’m truly amazed. In just over 40 years since the Reform and Opening-up, China has achieved what took other countries hundreds of years." Nijs also highlighted Deng Xiaoping, saying, "He was experienced, both tough and smart, and managed to develop a market economy while sticking to socialism, achieving remarkable results."

Having served as a consul in Shanghai and Hong Kong, Nijs was the Belgian Ambassador to China from 2009 to 2013. During his tenure, he actively contributed to deepening China-Belgium friendship by promoting trade cooperation and organizing art festivals, earning him "Order of the Crown" of Belgium. Just as his diplomatic career was reaching its peak, Nijs chose to retire early and retreated to the mountains of Yunnan, becoming a "foreign farmer" who worked at sunrise and rested at sunset.

"Ambassador is gone. Life to Patrick Nijs." Nijs wrote on social media on his last day in office.

"Foreign Farmer" in the Depths of Yunnan

"When I first came to Yunnan, I just fell in love with it. The mountains and rivers, the rich biodiversity, and the diverse climate—it’s like a magical mix of my birthplace in Africa and here in China. A lot of people in Yunnan, just like me, was born in the countryside; they’re simple and real," Nijs says. "Africa is where my life started, and I’d like to grow old embraced by the nature here in Yunnan."

Nijs not only appreciates the culture and scenery of Yunnan but also loves Yunnan cuisine. Once, in a bustling Yunnan restaurant on Dongsi Fourth Alley in Beijing, the aroma of lemongrass grilled fish and dried chili porcini often filled the air. The owner, Deng Minyan, personally handled everything from sourcing ingredients to cooking. In 2012, Nijs met Deng in that small alley. "I went to her restaurant for a meal, and she brewed me Pu'er tea. When I saw her, I knew she was the right person."

At first, their communication relied on translator, but Nijs felt that "Minyan was like the most beautiful 'flower' in Yunnan." He pursued her passionately, sending an email every day and occasionally asking others to step away so he could have Minyan accompany him to the hospital. Minyan had never considered dating a foreigner, but as they got to know each other better, she discovered Nijs's knowledge, wisdom, and kindness. More importantly, when they talked about their love for nature and the land, they found an instant connection. They decided to go to Deng Minyan's hometown in Dongchuan, Yunnan Province, to explore sustainable agricultural development and contribute to ecological protection together. "I could fulfill my pastoral dream on this land." Thus, Nijs became the only European ambassador to choose to stay in China after retirement.

Dongchuan is characterized by high temperatures and aridity, with a long history of copper mining. When Nijs first set foot on the muddy land here, his eyes lit up, and he quickly bought two hectares of wasteland. The couple built a two-story villa and planted 450 pine trees on half of the surrounding land, while the other half was used for growing roses, fruits, Chinese medicinal herbs, and walnuts. They adopted a "no pesticides, no chemical fertilizers" farming model, allowing crops to grow naturally. They also introduced bees and dug a water reservoir, aiming to achieve a sustainable and virtuous cycle of development.

Thus, Nijs became a happy farmer in the mountains. He wore muddy boots while tending the fields, danced with his wife among the roses, enjoyed tea in the gentle breeze, and listened to her play the guzheng. Nijs and his wife complemented each other’s personalities and shared a common dream—to expand their farm and explore new paths for ecological sustainability. They named their new home "Kabissa". "Kabissa means 'good' in an African language. I grew up in Africa, and I hope my farm will be as lush as the forests I saw in my childhood."

Nijs and his wife have established a farm called "Kabissa" in Dongchuan, Yunnan Province.

"I hope to contribute my bits of wisdom and possible solutions for the harmony between humanity and nature through my practice." After more than ten years of nurturing, the once barren red-soil terraced fields in front of the villa became increasingly "green", with the color of soil noticeably darker—indicating an increase in organic compound. Roses bloomed abundantly, wheat swayed in the breeze, and beetles occasionally rested on the greenery. The couple also raised four dogs and three cats, making the entire farm vibrant with life.

Promoting a Green China in Mogan Mountain

Nijs is looking for a place to share the experiences and philosophies of his ecological farm in Yunnan with a wider audience. In 2022, at the invitation of the government of Deqing County in Huzhou, Zhejiang Province, Nijs arrived in Mogan Mountain. Mogan Mountain is not only a model of lush mountains, lucid waters, and ecological conservation; it also boasts a rich history of East-West collaboration. As an environmentalist and a cultural ambassador between Europe and China, Nijs aims to continue pursuing his dream of ecological conservation in Mogan Mountain—creating an international demonstration zone for ecological conservation with Chinese path to modernization.

Accompanied by the sounds of cicadas, birds, and the gentle patter of autumn rain, Nijs ascends the slippery stone steps through the bamboo forest. Not far away, a charming wooden cabin serves as his new home. In Mogan Mountain, his life is both tranquil and busy. Each day, he wakes up early to meditate, manage paperwork, attend meetings, prepare for forums, practice calligraphy, and work in the fields... He quickly becomes familiar with the local farmers, engaging in activities ranging from farming, drinking tea and making small talks to organizing book clubs. Nijs has truly become almost a local himself.

During the interview, Nijs was preparing for the annual international forum themed around ecology, inviting participants from politics, business, academia, and agriculture to come together and showcase China’s path to green development to the world. He aims to create a platform for East-West ecological and environmental cooperation. In the "Mogan Mountain Declaration" he delivered at the inaugural forum in 2023, Nijs stated: "Our mission is to champion Green Innovation. China, a global linchpin, holds the key. We firmly believe that no genuine solution can succeed without China's involvement. Our mission is to bring Green China to the World and to introduce the Green World to China—a pivotal step as we approach the crossroads of our shared destiny."

Nijs was taking a walk in the bamboo forest of Mogan Mountain.

"The Mogan Mountain Green Engine Action Plan continues the work I started in Yunnan. I hope to advocate for green innovation, attract talent, technology, and funding from around the world in the ecological sector. Our goal is to advance the green ecological development of Mogan Mountain, making it a platform to showcase China’s achievements in ecological conservation construction and to exchange international experiences in ecological conservation construction," Nijs said.

"Modernization of Harmony Between Humanity and Nature"

Global People: As a former diplomat in China and an international affairs coordinator, what do you see as the characteristics of the Chinese government's governance?

Nijs: In the context of Western politics, I identify myself as a social democrat. I believe it is essential to find a balance that ensures everyone gets what they need; that is my dream. China is still searching for such opportunities, which is not easy. The world should cherish China—a nation that cares for vulnerable groups and promotes global development is vital for a good international community.

I have been very interested in socialism with Chinese characteristics, observing how it operates and evolves over the years. China has a very complex yet effective governance system. Of course, nothing is perfect, and there are still aspects of China’s governance model that require ongoing improvement, which the Chinese government is actively working on.

I operate a farm in Dongchuan and maintain a continuous and smooth dialogue with the local government. They have a strong commitment to improving the ecological environment and are making significant efforts in this regard. How to develop rural areas sustainably, ensuring that they become more prosperous while maintaining ecological balance, has become a policy driven at the national level in China.

Global People: What is your view of China's philosophy of ecological civilization?

Nijs: China has an inspiring vision for ecological conservation. When it comes to balancing economic development and environmental protection, the West often leans toward a technological approach. In contrast, China first proposed the idea that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets," followed by concrete measures. I believe this reflects typical Chinese wisdom. This scientific conclusion was initially articulated by President Xi Jinping in Zhejiang and has since been continuously developed and refined, shaping a series of environmental protection policies in China.

The 8 billion inhabitants of our global village form an ecological community of shared future, and we should work together to enrich our beautiful planet with more greenery. I hope that China and Europe can strengthen cooperation globally, leveraging European technology to realize the ecological conservation vision proposed by China. That is why I have come to Mogan Mountain, a place known for its "green" label, to promote consensus on ecological conservation cooperation between the East and West.

Global People: Some Western countries have accused China of overcapacity in its new energy sector. What is your view on this?

Nijs: This is absolute nonsense, driven by the interests of European companies. We must stop this traditional geopolitical noise and bring the world back to a framework of positive cooperation and mutual benefit. Otherwise, we will achieve nothing and may even end up shooting ourselves in the foot.

As the French poet Paul Valéry once said, "Europe is one end of the Asian continent." Europe needs to engage more closely with China in many ways, rather than discussing overcapacity and risk decoupling purely based on ideology. China cannot exist without the world, and the world cannot thrive without China.

We can start with ecological conservation cooperation. In recent years, I have seen solar panels and wind turbines everywhere in China. The green energy industry is developing quite rapidly, with remarkable achievements in hardware and infrastructure. No other country in the world can match China in this regard.

Global People: What is your favorite Chinese book?

Nijs: I often read the Tao Te Ching. I'm fascinated by the concept of "wu wei (non-action)". It doesn't mean doing nothing; rather, it’s about acting in accordance with the natural flow. This aligns perfectly with respecting, adapting to, and protecting nature, which holds profound significance for the global ecological conservation. In the context of the deteriorating natural environment, "the governance with Chinese characteristics", combined with the Taoist wisdom of "harmony between humanity and nature" and "let nature take its course" offers a path to redemption for humanity.

China's modernization is characterized by harmony between humanity and nature. This is remarkable. The future direction of ecological conservation lies in China.

Global People: After spending many years in China, how have your thoughts and habits changed? How do you maintain your energy every day?

Nijs: I return to Belgium for a month each year, but I've gotten used to not using a knife and fork for meals. In many ways, I feel more like a Chinese person. I often invite my children to China. My eldest daughter loves China and speaks Chinese very well.

China is guided by connectivity and advocates for integration rather than conflict. People should use their time alive to do meaningful things and never give up. My dream is to build a global ecological conservation; this is my lifelong mission. Now that I am pursuing this cause in China, I feel happier and more fulfilled than I did when I was younger.