Junnji Tannzou, a Japanese technician who is experienced in warp knitting techniques, works at Zhejiang Adient Wanfang Textile Technology Co Ltd in Haining, Zhejiang province. [Photo/Haining Daily]

In the early 2000s, China's warp knitting industry was in full swing. Technical exchanges between Chinese and Japanese companies were happening frequently.

Mao Weihua, general manager of Zhejiang Adient Wanfang Textile Technology Co Ltd in Haining, Zhejiang province visited Japan's Unitika Ltd in 2003 where he became acquaintances with Junnji Tannzou, a Japanese technician who is experienced in warp knitting techniques.

In talks with Mao, Tannzou found that textile companies in Haining were short of advanced techniques and the whole warp knitting industry in the city still had a long way to go.

Out of strong interest in this field, Tannzou asked Mao if he could work in his company after retirement with no strings attached. Mao gave a positive reply without any hesitation.

In 2006, Tannzou boarded a flight to Haining. Since then, his life has been closely connected with the city in East China.

In Wanfang, the Japanese technician serves as a mentor. Over the past 13 years, he's been dedicated to imparting techniques and experience to workers, and has offered help to the company in reducing cost, saving raw materials, improving the quality of products and developing new products. He asks for nothing in return for his contribution.

Tannzou guides a worker at Zhejiang Adient Wanfang Textile Technology Co Ltd in Haining, Zhejiang province. [Photo/Haining Daily]

"My pension is enough to afford my living and what I appreciate most is to do what I like," said Tannzou.

"We hope to make the best products," he said, adding that they are working for better quality, not cheaper price.

Now, Tannzou said he has two homes, one in Nara and the other in Haining. "Nara is a beautiful Japanese city and has a long history in commercial and cultural exchanges with China," said the 74-year-old.

He enjoys his life in Haining, saying tremendous changes have taken place in this city since his arrival with more skyscrapers being built, the general living environment having improved and social governance having progressed.