A French knight
Article & photos by Daisy

上月底, 法国驻广州领事馆总领事以及商务参赞一行人带着法国国家骑士勋章专程来到厦门, 将它颁发给了旅居厦门十年的法国商人--Roland Fath. 在十年里, 他为了中法贸易以及法国团体在福建地区的联系工作做出了杰出的贡献.



Roland Fath is French, an owner of a vibrant and enchanting lavender field and a hectare of luxuriant olive trees in Provence, a heaven widely recognized as one of the "one hundred places you should go in your life."

Over ten years ago, the businessman left his heaven for China, an unknown far-east country to him, and found Xiamen, a second heaven in his life. Since then his life consists of shuttling between the two heavens.

A French messenger and knight

Roland Fath once was an architectural-material businessman in France. His first stop in China was Hong Kong. Later, he toured around the country in pursuit of his heaven. After exchanging opinions with friends and leaving his footprints in major Chinese business cities along the coastline, including Hong Kong, Beijing, Dalian and Qingdao, he settled down in Xiamen, where he met and married an elegant Chinese lady. In 2000, he started a trading company with his wife, mainly trading in granite. "There is plenty of raw material in both Fujian and Shandong. But I chose Xiamen," Roland explained. "The French are particular about beauty and quality. People in South China tend to produce fine products compared with people from northern China. I didn't struggle in choosing where to start my Chinese business. Therefore I am." He named his company San Xiang Da, which in English independently indicates the three business founders, the oak tree, and prosperity. The oak tree is known as the king of the forest, representing enduring vitality and implying his business expectations and ambitions. He ships granite, the Minnan specialty, to his home country. "Its quality is highly praised. The French are stepping on Minnan granite in France."

Roland not only enjoys a reputation as a successful businessman, but also is known as a French messenger. During his stay in Xiamen, the French Guangzhou Consulate entrusted him with the responsibility of maintaining the French community organization in Fujian District in 2001. The hospitable man merrily accepted the offer and has organized a get-together each month ever after.

"The organization was originally founded by a Canadian from Quebec. It aims to keep a connection among those speaking the French language. Actually, there are only a few French in Fujian. No more than twenty I think. We regularly meet at parties, chat, and associate with compatriots. When an emergency happens to a compatriot, I'll respond before Guangzhou Consulate officials arrive at the spot."

For his endless efforts in the promotion of the French community over the last ten years, Fath was awarded the Médaille de L'Ordre National du Mérite (The Medal for the Order of National Merit) on May 21st at the Marco Polo Xiamen. A group of French officials from the French Guangzhou Consulate, including the French consul-general and commerce counselor, came especially to Xiamen to award Roland the honor. French friends from the Xiamen French Community attended the gala to show their appreciation for their knight's contribution to French Communication enhancement in the Fujian Region.

Heavenly life

"Xiamen is a heaven. It's a home-like city." Roland enjoys the inspiring and positive atmosphere of Xiamen. "It's perfect for business." said Roland smiling and passionately turning to his wife. Though he is always buzzing around the granite business, he still squeezes in some leisure time to relax and enjoy the city. He solo cycles around the island in his spare time. "My favorite site is the Xiamen Island Ring Road. But I also love to cycle in the alleys. They are fascinating." "Xiamen's environment is great. Its living standard is equal to that of Europe. These days, Europe is suffering from an economic depression. Here in Xiamen, it is developing at a steady speed. Besides, comparatively speaking, service is better in Xiamen. You have smiling locals and smiling weather in this city." He jokingly employed a metaphor mentioning the city's advantages.

"Every place brings forth its characteristics." Fath is infatuated with Harbin's Russian architecture, Tibet's clear skies, and the diversity of other cities. Lots of Chinese art works hang on the wall in his apartment. "My home is very Chinese," said the host, proudly presenting his apartment which overlooks Yuandang Lake as well as a terrific view of the sea. "I go to painting exhibitions every now and then."

Never say goodbye to Xiamen

The French are romantic and emotional. Roland's Chinese is now good enough to deal with his business partners. He stated with a dead-set seriousness, "No!" when being asked if he will leave Xiamen and live in another Chinese city. "Provence is for recreation, and Xiamen is for work and life." This is a French knight's life.

Vocabulary
lavender 熏衣草
hectare 公顷
luxuriant 繁茂的
Provence 普罗旺斯
shuttle 穿梭往返
granite 花岗岩
particular 挑剔的
infatuated 着迷的
messenger 使者
entrust 委托
metaphor 暗喻
knight 骑士