In an exclusive interview, we spoke with Deng Changfu, a 30-year-old overseas Chinese from Thailand, who has made a remarkable journey from his hometown of Hengyang in Hunan Province to pursue his dreams around the globe. Deng’s path has taken him from studying in Shenyang, Liaoning, to working in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu. He firmly believes that young people should step outside their comfort zones to explore new opportunities. “Hengyang’s culture instills in us a passion for exploration and a bold spirit,” he shared.
Born in 1994 in Hengdong County, Deng cherishes the rich cultural heritage of his birthplace, which is renowned for traditional crafts like shadow puppetry and paper cutting, as well as being a vibrant hub for poetry and painting. However, Deng observed a concerning trend of youth leaving the area for work elsewhere. “Despite its stunning landscapes and plentiful water resources, my hometown struggles to retain young talent,” he noted. Recognizing the potential in agriculture, Deng decided to enroll at Shenyang Agricultural University in 2012, eager to forge his own path in the field.
After graduating, he landed a position at Jiangsu Wode Agricultural Machinery Co., Ltd., where he was tasked with expanding markets across countries such as India, Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand. In 2019, Deng made the pivotal choice to settle in Thailand, where he also started a family, drawn by the country’s agricultural development prospects.
Reflecting on his transition from working abroad to establishing roots, Deng credits his parents’ adventurous spirit. Unlike the typical perception of rural life, his father and uncle were trailblazers, capitalizing on opportunities in various fields, including media and labor, throughout the 90s in China.
“My experiences, along with tales of innovation like the Wukou Mountain worker movement or the 47-day defense of Hengyang, have deeply inspired me,” Deng shared. “Embracing new challenges and exploring vast opportunities has become second nature to me.”
However, Deng’s journey hasn’t been without difficulties. Upon arriving in Thailand, he had to navigate cultural differences, dietary changes, and language barriers. “I could communicate in English to some extent, but most local farmers and leaders spoke only Thai, which made advancing projects a challenge,” he recalled.
Determined to bridge this gap, Deng committed to learning Thai from the ground up. He took online courses, attended in-person training, and practiced with language partners, mastering the basics in just three months.
With the language barrier behind him, Deng focused on building trust with local partners. “An ancient Chinese saying highlights the importance of integrity: ‘Treat others with sincerity, and they will respond in kind,’” he remarked. To cultivate relationships, he made numerous visits to potential partners, framing issues from their perspective and proactively addressing their concerns until he earned their trust.
Motivated by childhood dreams and a desire to give back to his beautiful homeland, Deng actively keeps tabs on news from Hengyang and stays informed through friends and former classmates. “Hengyang is making significant strides in industries like nuclear technology, advanced manufacturing, non-ferrous metals, modern agriculture, and cultural tourism. There’s a strong momentum, and more young people are returning to rural areas for opportunities as part of the revitalization strategy,” he expressed.
Deng is optimistic about the new generation of overseas Chinese, stating, “We stand on the shoulders of giants, and we should strive to do even better.” He aims to harness the advantages of the internet for efficient communication, acting as an ambassador for his hometown while fostering trade and cultural exchanges between his homeland and Thailand.
