In 2000, when Michael Marsden first arrived in Kashgar, he was amazed to discover an ancient Silk Road oasis that had served as a melting pot for different religions and cultures from the West and the East.
He never expected that he would eventually settle down, meet his future wife, have two children and start a business in the city in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.
The 39-year-old Briton, who is preparing for the opening of his organic baby food factory in October, said Xinjiang's rich agricultural resources and the fact that he and his wife had become so used to living in Kashgar made them decide to stay.
"I feel more relaxed in Kashgar than in cities in the United States and the United Kingdom," he said.
"I think some people perceive Xinjiang as dangerous - but crazy things can happen anywhere. I have both Han Chinese and Uygur friends. They are all glad that I'm here."
Marsden's factory will be the first enterprise funded by foreign capital in Kashgar.
With investment of $671,000, he has completed construction of the factory and obtained the certificates required to start producing baby food. A test run to produce puree made from organic fruit and vegetables was carried out this year.
Marsden estimates that he will have to invest another $268,500 before he can start production. A certificate from the fire department is still required.
"It is a learning process doing business in China. As we are the first foreign enterprise in Kashgar, the local authorities also had to learn how to help us complete the registration process," he said.
The birth of their daughter, Eleanor, four years ago gave the couple the idea of starting a baby food business in the city.
"I want my baby to eat safe and healthy food. So do thousands of parents in China, who I think are more than willing to spend money on their children," Marsden said.
"Xinjiang is a great place for organic agriculture, partly because it has the potential to use less water, and this is a very dry place. We also have a wide range of options for organic food, from Aksu apples and Korla pears to sweet potatoes and Chinese dates."
A bachelor's degree in biology from Oxford University and a master's in agriculture from the University of London have given Marsden the expertise required to succeed.
He has also set up a foundation in London to help raise money for the factory, which he named Eleanor's Garden, after his daughter.
Marsden has hired three staff members for the factory from the US and Canada to act as production manager, quality manager and operations director. Most of the other workers come from a nearby village.
Marsden, who is optimistic about the prospects for China's baby food industry, said he is looking to use e-commerce platforms to boost sales.
"We have the best raw materials and we are producing to international standards. Even the expatriates in China will be a huge market for us," he said.
