Stories in 2025: Planting roots in China — A Swedish farmer's journey

In 2025, Swedish native Patrick Bachstätter returned to China and settled in Dali, where he rented land at the foot of Cangshan Mountain to practice "no-till" natural farming. Initially a local curiosity, he gradually earned respect through hard work and became integrated into the community.

This year, he obtained China's Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card, a milestone that made him feel truly local. He also embarked on a 4,500-kilometer road trip across China with his father, during which the experiences and people he encountered deepened his appreciation for the warmth of the land.

Today, he believes that life – and everything around him – is improving year by year. China has become not just a home for him and his family, but also a beautiful place for his daughter to grow up.