US Man Gets China PR After 15 Years, Sparks Debate on Difficulty

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US Man Gets China PR After 15 Years, Sparks Debate on Difficulty

An American man who has spent the last 15 years practising martial arts and Taoism in China has been granted foreign permanent residency.

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The landmark award has won widespread praise and even plaudits from China's ambassador to the US.

"Congratulations! Jake Pinnick from Kewanee, Illinois, a 16th-generation disciple of the Wudang Sanfeng martial arts lineage, has got the Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card in China!" said Ambassador Xie Fengon social media on April 6.

"The young man who came to China to pursue his Kung Fu dream at 20 is now a real master!"

Xie shared Pinnick's story before, apparently showcasing him as a good example of foreigners fascinated with Chinese culture.

Pinnick came to China in 2010 at the age of 20 and has since dedicated himself to learning martial arts and Taoism at Wudang Mountain in the central province of Hubei, the Beijing Daily reported.

The story has sparked wide discussions online. Many Chinese netizens expressed surprise at the lengthy timeline, "It takes 15 years to qualify? I thought it'd be easier." Meanwhile, some also chimed in with their own experiences — one commenter shared, "I know someone who's been living in China for 11 years, but still doesn't meet the criteria." How do you view the path to residency in a country like China?

Source: SCMP

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