At Fuzhou Panda World recently, 82-year-old Gordon Trimble stood out among the crowd in a cowboy hat and a Hawaiian shirt as he spoke with students about giant pandas. During the conversation, he paused and shared a family memory: "When my father was young, he spent every summer in Kuliang."
On May 8, Gordon Trimble led faculty and students from Fujian Hwa Nan Women's College on an English-language study trip to Fuzhou Panda World. [Photo/chinanews.com.cn]
Located in the hills outside Fuzhou, Kuliang was once a famous summer retreat for foreign expatriates in China. For the Trimble family, it also became the starting point of a century-long connection with China.
The family's ties to China date back to 1889, when Gordon's grandaunt, Lydia Trimble, came to Fuzhou and founded South China Women's College, the predecessor of today's Fujian Hwa Nan Women's College. Gordon's grandfather later worked as a surgeon in Nanping, Fujian province, for 14 years.
Through family stories and old photographs, Gordon developed an early understanding of China.
In the 1980s, Gordon and his wife accompanied his father on a journey back to China to reconnect with the family's roots. Witnessing the country's rapid development left a deep impression on him.
In 2005, Gordon returned to Fuzhou to teach at Fujian Hwa Nan Women's College, where he has worked for more than 20 years. He introduced women's leadership courses and encouraged young women to become more confident and courageous. Over the years, Gordon and his family have donated approximately four million yuan ($588,200) in scholarships and financial aid, while also helping promote educational exchange programs between Chinese and American institutions.
Among the Chinese stories he has heard of, Gordon's favorite is the ancient fable "The Foolish Old Man Removes the Mountains". He explained that what resonates with him is not only the wisdom and perseverance of the old man, but also his determination to pursue a goal.
Gordon believes people-to-people exchanges are essential for improving mutual understanding between China and the United States. To help more Americans experience China firsthand, he has repeatedly organized and personally funded visits for American teachers and students, including trips to Kuliang and Chinese campuses.
"Many students changed their perceptions after visiting China and became interested in learning Chinese," he said.
As a member of the "Kuliang Friends", Gordon has participated in multiple "Bond with Kuliang" events, sharing stories of friendship and cultural exchange. In 2026, he was honored as one of the "Touching Fujian 2025 Persons of the Year".
On March 13, Gordon Trimble (center) was selected as one of the "Touching Fujian 2025 Persons of the Year". [Photo/chinanews.com.cn]
"Our family will continue this journey," Gordon said. "We hope to help build bridges of understanding so people from both countries can appreciate the beauty of different cultures together."
