STORY: "My heart is in China": an American family's bond with China's Fuzhou
DATELINE: June 28, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:30
LOCATION: FUZHOU, China
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Fuzhou City and Guling
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): PRISCILLA BREWSTER GILL
3. various of Fuzhou City and Guling
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): PRISCILLA BREWSTER GILL
5. various of Fuzhou City and Guling
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): LINDA KATHLEEN, Priscilla's granddaughter

STORYLINE:

An American woman who had lived in China for 14 years, feels emotional revisiting the city where she was brought up.

Priscilla Brewster Gill, born in 1934 in China's Fuzhou, was recently invited back to the city for a China-U.S. people-to-people friendship forum.

The Brewster family has an enduring bond with China. Priscilla spent her childhood in Fuzhou, and her father was the director of a local hospital.

The family had stayed in a villa in Guling in the suburbs of the city, where they used to enjoy their summer times.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): PRISCILLA BREWSTER GILL
"It's wonderful. We went there every summer when I was here as a girl. We had lots of friends and it was like paradise to go up there and beautiful views.
This time when we were invited back again, it's very emotional because I'm so happy to be here, to be invited here, to bring my granddaughter, another generation.
My grandparents worked here and my father was born here and I was born here. Now because of the invitation I get to bring my granddaughter and for her to feel that great love for China and for the Chinese people. I mean my heart is here in China."

During the visit, Priscilla was impressed by the development in the city.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): PRISCILLA BREWSTER GILL
"Amazing. It's wonderful what has happened. And everywhere we go, it is so beautiful. They've done everything, even the sides of the highways are so beautiful.
We think it is just amazing what has happened in China, such a wonderful, strong country now and such wonderful people, and we're so happy for China."

Priscilla's granddaughter was also touched by her family's stories with the friendly city.

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): LINDA KATHLEEN, Priscilla's granddaughter
"Everybody's been so kind and welcoming. I'm all about community and friendship and loving everybody. So it's been nice to be in a community that has the same sense in their heart.
I think story-telling is really important. I've heard them all my life but since being here I now know I'm gonna have it in my brain forever and my heart forever and will continue to pass it along."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Fuzhou, China.
(XHTV)