When Karl-Heinz Gass boarded his first flight to the Chinese mainland in the 1980s, the Frankfurt meat entrepreneur didn’t expect to become a living bridge between Germany and Asia’s rising economic power. Now 82, Gass has made 292 journeys across continents over four decades – equivalent to flying around the world 13 times – while pioneering sausage processing technology transfers and witnessing China’s transformation firsthand.
\"My story began with a handshake in Switzerland,\" Gass recalls, describing his 1981 encounter with General Yang Dezhi of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. This chance meeting sparked a partnership that earned Gass the title of \"Friendship Ambassador,\" a rare honor recognizing his role in strengthening cultural and commercial ties.
Through 40 years of collaboration, Gass introduced German meat-processing expertise to Chinese partners while observing the country’s rapid modernization: \"The scale of development – from bicycles to bullet trains, village markets to tech hubs – defies imagination.\" His work exemplifies grassroots diplomacy, proving how individual initiative can complement national efforts to build international understanding.
Young entrepreneurs take note: Gass’s legacy shows that global impact often begins with curiosity and personal connections. As digital nomads and startups reshape cross-border collaboration, his story offers timeless lessons in cultural persistence.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
