Michael Crook. (COURTESY PHOTO)

By BI Weizi

Michael Crook, 72, has lived in Beijing for more than 50 years. Six generations of his family, from his great-grandmother to his grandchildren have lived in China for over a century, investing a lot of effort in English education in the country, while witnessing its glorious development.

Back in 2004, Crook received the Chinese Government Friendship Award, the highest award given by the Chinese government to honour foreign experts who have made outstanding contributions to China's modernization drive.

"I have lived in Britain, the United States, Canada and other places. But my home is Beijing, and this is the place I know best," Crook told Science and Technology Daily（S&T Daily） at a foreign experts event in Chengdu. Crook has always seen himself as an insider instead of an outsider or guest. Decades of living experiences in China have not only given him a deep insight into Chinese society, but also endowed him qualities typical of Chinese people, being honest, practical and frugal.

Connecting to China through education

Influenced by his parents, Isabel Crook and David Crook, who dedicated themselves to English teaching in China for their entire lives, Crook sought to also play an active role in education and returned to teach at the Graduate School of the China University of Science and Technology in 1978, after graduating from the University of London.

Back then, with China's reform and opening up beginning to unfold, more and more foreigners, including businessmen and diplomats, came to live and work in Beijing. The demand for international schools became stronger. In 1994, Crook and his friends opened the Western Academy of Beijing (WAB), which was one of the first international schools in Beijing, providing foreign children with a valuable opportunity to learn about the wonders of Chinese culture.

"Instead of replicating some Western teaching model in China, I thought we should build a unique international school that could incorporate the magnificent culture of China with our teaching. I hope my students will cherish this experience of living and working in China for the rest of their lives, making friends with Chinese people and learning from China," said Crook.

Now, as one of the top international schools in China, WAB has 1,400 students from nearly 60 countries and regions and world-class facilities. The school's emblem was designed and written by Crook himself: the traditional Chinese seal, simplified seal script characters and colourful fragments in the corners represent the diversity, openness and tolerance of culture, which also echoes Crook's life philosophy.

Witnessing China's rapid development

During the visit in Chengdu, Crook told S&T Daily that he was amazed at this city's advanced science and technology development and excellent infrastructure construction, adding that he has special feelings for Chengdu since his mother was born here and spent the very first few years of her life here too.

"Chengdu has changed a lot in the past few decades. When I was a child, there weren't so many skyscrapers and cars," he said, adding that China deserves immense credit for its efforts into improving people's livelihood and lifting millions of people out of poverty.

"China is a big agricultural country. I think China has created a miracle, lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty," said Crook. He cited his visit to a primary school in Xizang autonomous region this May as an example.

After checking out the excellent teaching facility, Crook sat through a Tibetan language class, and was delighted to see the entire class conducted in Tibetan language, not a word of Han spoken by teacher or student, nor a single han character written. China is a rich, multi-ethnic country, while all the students had a good command of Putonghua – "common speech", their traditional culture is also being preserved. The students' lunch provided by the school also appeared delicious. He said this achievement is a testament to the great leadership of the Communist Party of China.

For the benefit of all

Crook said that China is now further opening up to the outside world and sharing the fruits of development with the world. With the continuous improvement of its international status, China is participating in international affairs with a more active attitude and playing an increasingly important role on the international stage.

China gaining economic strength and having a stronger voice are good things for the world. Because China emphasizes harmony, cooperation and win-win, said Crook, the advantage of China's socialist system is one of the key contributing factors in China's development.