Before his interview with inJiangsu, Udo Looser had just completed a solo cycling journey from Gansu to western Sichuan. In the travelogue article, Exploring Cool Highlands: 2000KM by Bike in Western China, published in The Nanjinger, Udo mentioned that after a journey of just under 20 hours on a green train from Nanjing to Lanzhou, “the mantra was always ‘Go South’.
Browsing through Udo’s photo album of the latest cycling trip, his journey includes popular routes like the G318, as well as lesser-known paths such as the Road of Locke in Gansu, and the mysterious circle route of Dandao. It was an encounter with nature, as he traveled past mountains, grasslands, and rivers, sometimes with the company of yaks and even marmots. It was also a journey through history and culture, as he admired the majestic sights of Bingling Grottoes, Labrang Monastery, monasteries in Langmusi Town, and Litang Monastery.
Covering 2,100 kilometers in September, with the highest altitude over 4,750 meters, this trip took 18 cycling days plus several rest days and sightseeing days. The reporter asked Udo if this was the most difficult route he had ever cycled. “No, actually not,” Udo said. “There is no breathing problem at that altitude, at least for a cyclist, because you go up slowly.” Additionally, as an old Chinese proverb goes, “The benevolent find joy in mountains.” Udo prefers to cycle in mountainous areas. “Other routes are equally beautiful, such as those in Yunnan or the Duku Highway area in Xinjiang. Even in neighboring Anhui and Zhejiang provinces, where the mountains are not as high, there is still plenty of mountain climbing to do.”
In fact, as early as 1999, Udo had traveled from neighboring Pakistan to Xinjiang via the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway (Karakoram Highway) through the Khunjerab Pass. To date, Udo has cycled across 15 provinces in China, completing 15 lengthy cycling trips. Except for his first ride, he has embarked on each cycling journey in China alone. “But you are never by yourself, you meet people on the road, whether they are travelers or local people.” Udo’s Chinese language skills help a lot in these interactions.
Udo comes from the Black Forest region in Germany, which is located in Baden-Württemberg. This year, Jiangsu and Baden-Württemberg celebrate the 30th anniversary of their sister state-province relationship. In the mid-1990s, Udo worked for the well-known German automotive supplier ZF, where he established connections with clients from China. In 1998, he made his first business trip to China and negotiated a joint venture with Jincheng Group, a local motorcycle manufacturer in Nanjing. Since 2001, he has developed a strong bond with Nanjing.
During the interview at the outdoor café of the Nanjing World Literature Hall in Xuanwu District, we sat under a canopy of lush green foliage. The autumn breeze is slightly cool, but more than anything, it is comfortable. Autumn is one of Udo’s favorite seasons in Nanjing, ” the best season just started now. We have a long time of beautiful sunshine and temperatures. And we can go cycling every day.”
Udo believes that living in Nanjing is like living in a park. The city boasts a rich history and strikes a balance between Chinese traditions and internationalism. “My wife is from Nanjing, my kids go to school here, and I feel like a Nanjinger.”
In late 2023, “Five-Star Card,” the new version of the Permanent Residence ID Card for Foreigners in China, was issued. Udo was among the first recipients. And this is the third generation of permanent residence ID cards he has received during his 23 years in China. He even provided the reporter with a brief history of permanent residence ID cards. “The Chinese government introduced the card in 2004. I myself applied for it in 2013. In 2017 came the second generation of the card. Since the end of last year, the third generation has been introduced.”
Based on Udo’s experience, each new generation of the permanent residence ID card for foreigners has shown improvements.”The second generation was the big jump because it was introduced IC card inside,” he said. And the “Five-Star Card” improved the numbering format, making it more similar to the Chinese ID card, allowing it to be recognized by more systems. Hotel registration is more efficient, and on the 12306 Railway App, foreigners can register as a member and earn points.
He hopes that the permanent residence card can further integrate back-end information to be suitable for more situations such as online accommodation booking and online car rentals.
When asked how to apply for the permanent residence ID card, Udo explained,”There is no uniform answer to this question. First, you need to go to the Exit-Entry Administration to inquire.” According to Udo, there are various channels, but the most common being the spousal route. The other is by work or talent. A third option might be through investment. Each requires a different set of documents.