An American man who lived for 15 years intensely studying martial arts and Taoist philosophy on Wudang Mountain in China has been awarded foreign permanent residency, the South China Morning Post said.
Jake Pinnick, a 34-year-old from Kewanee, Illinois, initially traveled to China in 2010 at the age of 20 to pursue his passion for mastering kung fu. Now, more than a decade on, his commitment has paid off as he was awarded China’s coveted Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card, the so-called ‘five-star card’. The award is a major milestone for foreign nationals in the nation.
Recognition from Ambassador
Pinnick’s tale has attracted great admiration, with endorsements from China’s ambassador to the United States, Xie Feng.
“Congratulations! Jake Pinnick of Kewanee, Illinois, a 16th-generation student of the Wudang Sanfeng martial arts family, has received the Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card in China! The young man who came to China to realize his Kung Fu dream at age 20 is now a true master!” Xie wrote in a congratulatory post on X.
Watch:
Congratulations! Jake Pinnick @DaoistWay from Kewanee, Illinois, a 16th-generation disciple of the Wudang Sanfeng martial arts lineage, 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! https://t.co/6vCGZs1Lzf pic.twitter.com/8s7xkqmaYm
— Xie Feng 谢锋 (@AmbXieFeng) April 6, 2025
On arrival in China, Pinnick committed himself totally to the study of martial arts and Taoist philosophy on Wudang Mountain, a sacred place in Taoism and said to be the birthplace of tai chi, a school of thought connected with the Taoist master Zhang Sanfeng.
Although his original intention was to gain physical fitness from martial arts, Pinnick eventually immersed himself in ancient Taoist writings such as the Tao Te Ching and Zhuangzi.
“While accompanying my teacher to learn Taoism texts, I discovered that martial arts can ‘magically’ reduce pressure on an individual, develop moral character, and enhance self-improvement,” he said.
Teaching and Living the Tao
Nowadays, Pinnick—using his Chinese name, Li Zigen is instructing martial arts and Taoist philosophy to Chinese and foreign students alike. He feels that his status as a cultural outsider has actually enhanced his understanding of the traditions he follows.
“My advantage is likely the ‘onlooker’s view,” he said, describing how cultural differences forced him to really understand the principles behind every movement and teaching.
His master gave him the name ‘Zigen’, which translates as ‘root of character’. The surname “Li” was also selected because it sounds like his middle name, Lee, and because it has symbolic associations with both Taoist sage Lao Tzu and Bruce Lee.
“It is the best recognition for a foreigner who loves Chinese culture. So please do not call me a foreigner any more,” Pinnick joked online.
Now married to a Chinese woman and father to a young daughter, Pinnick has also experienced unforeseen physical changes. To address online rumors about his appearance, he stated, “My hair darkened. My body has progressively been affected after doing martial arts and being in China for so many years.”
Looking back, Pinnick said, “I think I have a responsibility to popularize Chinese culture and spread it to more people, and I will take up the task of bringing China stories to the world.
