Ding talks with locals in Hehong, Zhejiang provice. (zj.people.cn/Chen Jinlian)
Ding believes that ideas are worth little if they are not put into practice. On Feb. 16, 2017, he created a sensation when he brought a group of businessmen from the U.S. and Japan to look at possible investment opportunities in the village. The neat cobblestone roads and well-preserved ancient residences received praise from the visitors, and some indicated real interest in investing.
Ding's own hometown is a small village near Provence in southern France. He grew up in a 400-year-old house, of which he has fond memories.
"My parents, brother, sister and I repaired the house with our own hands," he recalled.
Ding has been to many places in China including Shunde, Kunshan and Shanghai. Over the years, he has seen many high-rise buildings replace old houses. But he is happy to see that in recent years, more and more Chinese people are choosing to protect valuable ancient structures.
