An Honest View on China After 16 Years (Westerner’s POV)

Meet Fabian, a Belgian who has been living in China for 16 years. He is married to a Chinese wife and runs a contract manufacturing company. Fabian explained the main misconceptions about China in the West, the biggest differences between life in China and Europe, and what you should never do as a foreigner in China. Enjoy!

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TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 INTRO
00:30 Misconceptions about China
01:10 Why China?
02:31 Differences between China and Europe
05:46 How developed China is
07:20 Impressions when visiting China
09:10 How the media shows China
10:48 Relationships with a Chinese wife
16:12 How to work with Chinese people
19:35 Is China still the best in manufacturing?
21:02 Can the world decouple from China?
24:56 What China taught you

Hey! This channel bridges the gap between locals and foreigners all over the world. Join Max as he interviews expats, unraveling their unique stories and providing valuable insights into their lives in the vibrant places of Asia. Through engaging conversations, Max fosters understanding and appreciation between locals and the global community, focusing on cultural exchange.

[MaxChernov]

Would you rather live in China or in Europe in 2025?

[MrNanoer]

I worked in the Silicon Valley for the last 2o years and moved to Dongguan in 2018, I immediately loved the work ethic here already.

[hksoundpro]

I came here for a 6 month contract in 1993. I'm still here and never cease to be proud of this amazing country and the people here. ❤

[yaphonghor]

This video illustrates that foreigners who understand China appreciate what Chinese culture, tradition and way of life mean to the people, unlike Western purposeful misconception! Chinese society prefers harmony and happy life, not aggression!

[weizhang]

To be able to raise 1.43 billion (20% of the world)population in a land of 9% of the world, it’s miracle itself

[Truthstelling]

Exceptional guest with great understanding of China. Really enjoy this video. Thank you

[davidchung]

A great insight from this gentleman who have first hand experience of life in China! Thanks.

[markshen]

Max, greetings from Hong Kong 🇭🇰 SAR.
It’s really great and awarding for many westerners who moved out of their own countries and decided to make a new change in life, moving to places like China 🇨🇳, Malaysia 🇲🇾, Singapore 🇸🇬, Thailand 🇹🇭, etc. and make a new venture to make a staple life outside their own countries 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

China 🇨🇳 has gone through so much changes in techno-electronic innovations that it makes the west very difficult to catch up, such as EV and public transportation.

[omgitsmejeff]

Some great insights from Fabian, i am also in manufacturing in southern China and i can attest for the dynamic culture and business opportunities that continue to flourish here. Would love to meet Fabian in person I think we can have some great conversations, he seems very down to earth

[peterfischer]

As a person born and raised in Australia, I’d love to immigrate to China and take all my capital with me. As the Chinese population collapses, I’m hopeful their Gov’t policies will change as Japans now also are. The Chinese are much more flexible so I think it will as soon as they see fit.

[jmchng]

From north to south, east to west not only the cultures are different but so are foods. And the pace of life (lifestyles) are different too.

[lecrevisse]

I know that guy, great dude, I stayed in China 16 years too and 10 in Guangzhou where you guys are. But I arrived in 2005 and left in 2021

[JamesChan]

Too bad very few people in America or Europe view this and similar videos. There are not that many "westerners" who live and work in China for a long time and truly understand how complex the country is. The lion's share of populations in the U.S. and Europe are still deeply influenced by what their media tell them at home. Misunderstanding China will continue, as my doctoral dissertation advisor, Professor Rhoads Murphey, told us in class in the mid-1970s in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He was trying to make light of the situation but it was -- and still is -- a serious matter.

[laughingkor]

Belgium controlled several territories and concessions during the colonial era, primarily the Belgian Congo (modern DR Congo) from 1908 to 1960, Ruanda-Urundi (modern Rwanda and Burundi) from 1922 to 1962, Lado Enclave (modern Central Equatoria province in South Sudan) from 1884 to 1910, and the Belgian concession of Tianjin in China (1902–1931). Belgium used violence and a ruthless system of economic extraction against the indigenous people and land of its then colonies.
Welcome to the civilized world, Fabian. Enjoy your freedom in China, free from the lies and smears the media in the West have against China and her people.

[hermanhsu]

The regime's mandate is to govern and ensure people's livelihoods are prosperous. The West focuses on ideology to divert people's dissatisfaction. From democracy to populism, incompetent leaders are the norm in the West, with no plan.

[ysw]

I don't know about living in China but I can tell you it is suffocating living in Australia. So many angry people especially on the roads and they tend to blame everything on the Chinese.

[nagellllll]

Я думаю во второй половине века станет просто нормой уезжать из западной европы. Отсутствие перспектив развития этих стран станет всё более очевидным. Так же больше европейцев поймёт, что другие страны не стояли на месте и уже предлагают другой уровень жизни. Я вот например почти 20 лет прожил в Германии и могу с уверенностью сказать, что многие немцы даже не понимают в каком я извиняюсь дерьме они живут, потому что 20-век обучил их тому, что у нас одна из самых прогрессивных, богатых и комфортных стран мира, хотя это уже давно не так.

[WalkOverHotCoal]

Obviously Fabian knows the history of China. For people who comment on China, it would be helpful to understand the history of China first before opening their mouth. Westerners expect the Chinese people to just wipe the slate clean, and forget about how China gets to be what it is today. I hope Fabian and family have a happy and prosperous life.😀

[hankchow]

This gentleman has a thorough understanding of working in China and how the world is today in terms of international dynamics I wish he had talked about his company and its structure and employees and the products or services offered.

[shuedward]

Impressed. The patient, how important lesson in life! Thanks!