Donovan Patrick: a Frenchman's love for Ningbo

Donovan Patrick, a French national, has called Ningbo home for over two decades. Now 66 years old, he has witnessed profound changes in the friendship between China and France over the years.

"It was 2002 when I first arrived in Ningbo to work as an engineer at a mobile phone manufacturing company," said Patrick, "I had planned to stay for around two years, but little did I know that I would still be here more than 20 years later."

Expressing a sense of belonging, Patrick lives in Beilun district, which is about a 30-minute bus ride from the city center. He described the area as resembling a small French town, yet offering all the conveniences of a larger city.

At first, Patrick faced challenges adapting to his new environment. Although curious about everything, the unfamiliar language and surroundings often left him confused, even struggling to find his way home.

With the help of his wife, he began studying Chinese. In his free time, Patrick explored the streets and alleys of Ningbo with his camera, documenting details about foreigner-friendly venues and capturing stunning photos.

In the early days, English resources about Ningbo were scarce, and much of the information available was only accessible through newspapers. Many expats were unaware of what the city was experiencing.

As more expats arrived in Ningbo for work, discussions often centered around places to eat, shop, and travel. This inspired Patrick to compile an English booklet introducing Ningbo to newcomers. However, the city's rapid development rendered the booklet outdated quickly, inspiring Patrick to create a website.

In 2005, Patrick launched "HelloNingbo", a website dedicated to providing information on local hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, bars, hospitals, and more, tailored to the needs of foreign visitors. Over time, it expanded to include property rentals, currency exchange, and event listings.

However, following a shift in communication methods, the website was eventually shut down. However, Patrick and his team then collaborated with a magazine publisher to launch a monthly publication titled "HelloNingbo", which continues to be popular.

"Ningbo is such a wonderful city. I love it and want to share it with the world," said Patrick.

Even at 66, Patrick still enjoys wandering the streets of Ningbo, engaging with locals, and sharing his stories with every expat he meets. Patrick hopes that more French youth will develop an interest in China, learn Mandarin, and come discover the real China for themselves.