A 34-year-old American man has been granted Chinese permanent residency after spending 15 years immersed in martial arts and Taoist philosophy on Wudang Mountain, one of China’s most sacred Taoist sites. The recognition, officially known as the Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card—or the “five-star card”—marks a rare honor for a foreign national.

Jake Pinnick, originally from Kewanee, Illinois, arrived in China in 2010 at the age of 20 to pursue his dream of mastering kung fu. His long journey has now earned praise across Chinese media, including from China’s ambassador to the United States, Xie Feng, who celebrated the milestone on X (formerly Twitter).

“Congratulations! Jake Pinnick… has got the Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card in China! The young man who came to China to pursue his Kung Fu dream at 20 is now a real master!” Ambassador Xie wrote.

Pinnick began his studies in Wudang Mountain, located in Hubei province. The site is not only a cornerstone of Taoist belief but is also regarded as the birthplace of tai chi, linked to Taoist sage Zhang Sanfeng. Over time, Pinnick became a 16th-generation disciple of the Wudang Sanfeng martial arts lineage.

What started as a quest to improve his physical health evolved into a deeper spiritual path. Pinnick immersed himself in ancient Taoist texts, including the Tao Te Ching and Zhuangzi, and eventually began teaching both martial arts and Taoist philosophy to Chinese and international students.

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“My advantage is probably the ‘onlooker’s perspective,’” he said, explaining how cultural differences led him to dig deeper into the philosophy behind every movement and principle. His Chinese name, Li Zigen—meaning “root of character”—was given to him by his master. “Li” is both a nod to Bruce Lee and a phonetic echo of his middle name.

A new life in China

Now married to a Chinese woman and father to a young daughter, Pinnick has fully embraced life in China. On social media, he joked, “So please do not call me a foreigner anymore,” calling the residency card the best recognition a foreigner who loves Chinese culture could receive.

Some online users even speculated that he had dyed his hair. Pinnick clarified that his hair had naturally darkened—something he attributed to the long-term effects of martial arts and life in China.

He now sees it as his mission to help share Chinese culture with the world. “I think I have the responsibility to spread Chinese culture to more people,” he said. “I am willing to take the role of telling China stories to the world.”