Many foreigners move to China out of a keen interest in its culture and people. And for at least one man, this interest has turned into love, a major career boost, and a series of books all about China through the eyes of a foreigner. CGTN's Mark Fontes tells us more.

His name is William Brown, Chinese name Pan Weilian - an American living in China for 31 years. His Chinese friends call him by his nickname, "Lao Pan". March 20th is a special day. Not only because it marks the calendar start of spring, but China International Publishing Group (CIPG) is holding a signing ceremony for his 'Lao Pan Looks at China' series of books.

In the late 1970s, China and the US established formal diplomatic relations. Over the next few years, Brown's curiosity about China grew. Then in 1988--a decade into the Reform and Opening up--he got a phone call from the coastal economic hub of Xiamen, in southeastern China. The rest is history. Since then, he's been a professor at Xiamen University. Brown's true understanding and appreciation of China didn't begin though until 1994, when he and his family took a 3-month drive around the country.

Brown's growing affection for China spurred him to write books about Chinese stories - 13 of them to date. Each of them gives the world a more comprehensive and objective view of the country from the perspective of a foreigner.

LU CAIRONG, DEPUTY DIRECTOR CHINA INTERNATIONAL PUBLISHING GROUP "From the daily experiences recorded in his books, Lao Pan has shown the world a more authentic China and built a bridge for cultural exchange between China and foreign countries."

Last December, Brown's newest book, 'Off the Wall: How We Fell for China,' was published. It includes 47 letters written to his family over the past 31 years, showing China's development and changes over different periods. After receiving a copy of Brown's new book and letters, President Xi Jinping congratulated him personally on the publication, and thanked him for his contributions to China's education. Brown excitedly recorded a video when he got the response from President Xi.

WILLIAM BROWN, PROFESSOR SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT, XIAMEN UNIVERSITY "Dear President Xi, I heard that you asked me about my health and I feel really moved, thank you. Now I'm writing a book about Pingtan, to let more people know the real China. Hope you're happy and well."

Brown said he loves China and its people. He looks forward to continually telling the nation's stories to the world. MARK FONTES, CGTN.