US Man Granted Chinese Residency After 15 Years of Training in Ancient Martial Arts

US Man Granted Chinese Residency: The recipient, 34-year-old Jake Pinnick from Kewanee, Illinois, arrived in China in 2010 at the age of 20 in pursuit of his kung fu dream. His commitment has now been rewarded with a coveted Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card—commonly known as the "five-star card"—a landmark recognition for foreigners in China.

Recognition from Ambassador

Pinnick’s tale has attracted great admiration, with endorsements from China’s ambassador to the United States, Xie Feng.

“Congratulations! Jake Pinnick of Kewanee, Illinois, a 16th-generation student of the Wudang Sanfeng martial arts family, has received the Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card in China! The young man who came to China to realize his Kung Fu dream at age 20 is now a true master!” Xie wrote in a congratulatory post on X.

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In early April, Pinnick shared on social media that he had received China’s permanent residency document, widely known as five-star card.

“It is the best recognition for a foreigner who loves Chinese culture. So please do not call me a foreigner any more,” he joked.

His Chinese name is Li Zigen, with Zigen being given by his master on the mountain and Li being pronounced similar to the English word Lee, his middle name.

Pinnick said he carefully chose Li as his surname also because both the Taoism founder Lao Tzu and Hong Kong-American martial artist and actor Bruce Lee shared the family name.

He said he first came to Wudang Mountain only aiming to learn martial arts and enhance his health.

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As he followed his teacher to study Taosim texts like Tao Te Ching and Zhuangzi, he found that martial arts can “magically” relieve pressure on a person, cultivate moral character and promote self improvement.

Now Pinnick has become a master on Wudang Mountain himself, teaching both Chinese and foreign students martial arts and Taoism.

“My advantage is probably the ‘onlooker’s perspective’. Due to the cultural difference, I must figure out the logic and details behind each movement and each Taoism theory,” he was quoted as saying.

“I think I have the responsibility to spread Chinese culture to more people and I am willing to take the role of telling China stories to the world.”

Now married to a Chinese woman and father to a young daughter, Pinnick has also experienced unforeseen physical changes. To address online rumors about his appearance, he stated, “My hair darkened. My body has progressively been affected after doing martial arts and being in China for so many years.”

Looking back, Pinnick said, “I think I have a responsibility to popularize Chinese culture and spread it to more people, and I will take up the task of bringing China stories to the world.

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