EVAN KAIL, the young American who donated a WWII album to China which contains photos that document atrocities committed by Japanese invaders, arrived in Shenzhen on Friday night.

In 2022, Kail came across the album, which deeply disturbed him due to its graphic content. Rather than returning it to the seller, he decided to purchase it and sought help online to uncover its historical context and implications.

Despite obstacles including threats that forced him to wear a bulletproof vest to work, Kail, a 35-year-old pawnshop owner and TikToker, established contact with the Chinese Consulate in Chicago and donated the album.

On Saturday morning, Kail joined nearly 200 participants in the Spartan Race at Bijia Hill Park in Futian District. He sounded the whistle to start the competition and was presented with a special gift: a brooch in the shape of Shenzhen’s city flower — the Bougainvillea.

“I have always wanted to be a bridge for cultural exchange between China and the U.S., and visiting Shenzhen is very exciting for me. Today, surrounded by many young Chinese people, interacting with them on such a beautiful urban course and participating in the challenge together is a rare opportunity,” Kail said after finishing the race.

“Doing the right thing is never easy. The process can be painful, just like the 20 obstacles we just faced. But if it’s right, even if it’s painful, it must be done. Today, I met many young Chinese people. They are incredibly positive, optimistic, and full of energy. From them, I also saw the ‘secret’ of China’s vitality.”

At the park, Kail enjoyed a cup of coffee made by a robot and visited an outdoor intelligent fitness space.

(Han Ximin)