Many foreigners who permanently move to China typically settle in the nation's big cities. But the smaller city of Zhuzhou in central China's Hunan Province just welcomed its first such permanent transplant. As CGTN's Cui Hui'ao shows us, it's a homecoming 16 years in the making.

Norbert Knuetter first came to China in 2002. A welding engineer from Germany, Norbert now works for a company that builds rail lines and maglev trains. He admits back then when his boss first asked him to work in China, he said no.

NORBERT KNUETTER, VICE MANAGER CRRC ZHUZHOU LOCOMOTIVE CO., LTD. "I told him sorry no way, no way, I don't have any experience with Chinese guys, I have no knowledge about China, and nothing."

But after thinking about it, he changed his mind. Norbert spent time working with a group of Chinese welders, and learned more about the country and its people.

NORBERT KNUETTER, VICE MANAGER CRRC ZHUZHOU LOCOMOTIVE CO., LTD. "We had a lot of dinners together, and lunch, and finally I told him okay for three months I will go to China."

The months turned into years, and now Norbert's been here over a decade and a half. His personal life also followed suit. He married a Chinese woman, and has a daughter. He now lives like a local in Hunan Province.

NORBERT KNUETTER, VICE MANAGER CRRC ZHUZHOU LOCOMOTIVE CO., LTD. "If you have a problem in China you organize a meeting and then the next meeting, then the biggest manager can solve this problem. In Germany one meeting and then you finish."

He said he must understand and accept the differences since he works for a Chinese company. Extraordinary contributions to China have brought him many awards, including what he calls his most memorable experience: winning a friendship certificate from Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.

NORBERT KNUETTER, VICE MANAGER CRRC ZHUZHOU LOCOMOTIVE CO., LTD. "The second time when I saw him in Zhuzhou, I told him 'nihao laopengyou', he said 'oh laopengyou, why? Weisheme?' Hahah it was funny."

This June, Norbert finally got a Chinese green card, meaning he is now a permanent Chinese resident. He says his daily life and work are much easier: he no longer needs to fill out documents in order to renew his visa every year. But he adds that there's more to it than that: a stronger sense of belonging. Norbert says he is a happy man - with a good career in China, and a sweet family in Zhuzhou. Cui Hui'ao, CGTN, Zhuzhou.