Editor's note: East China's Zhejiang province is renowned for its large international population. Aloft on the wings of China's reform and opening-up policy, a group of Zhejiang people have gone abroad to make a living since the 1970s. As this year marks the 40th anniversary of the policy, the Zhejiang website (www.ezhejiang.gov.cn) is launching a series of stories about overseas Chinese who are originally from Zhejiang, as well as those who are active in the province's development. Stories courtesy of Zhejiang Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese and Zheshang Magazine

Feng Dingxian, a Wenzhou native who has achieved business success in Germany [Photo/Zheshang Magazine]

"I feel grateful for China's reform and opening-up policies, which gave me a chance to pursue development abroad and contribute to my home country. It's the best of times," said Feng Dingxian, a businessman from Wenzhou, Zhejiang province and the vice-chairman of the Zhejiang Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese.

In 1992, Feng moved his family to Germany, hoping to promote the light industrial products and petty commodities produced in his hometown to the European country, which is renowned for its advanced manufacturing industry.

Although the idea was questioned by his family members and friends, the sharp-sighted businessman saw the promising prospect of made-in-China products in Germany.

Feng said that after the 1990s, the cheapness and improving quality of Chinese goods gave them a big advantage.

However, it wasn't a smooth process and Chinese products had yet to win the trust of the local market.

"I attended many trade shows in Germany at the beginning of my career but not a single deal was made," Feng recalled.