American journalist documenting China’s Reform and Opening up

Concerned about Shanghai’s development

He recalled the scene of coming to Shanghai for the first time 37 years ago.“When I first came to Shanghai, we were down by the river. I remember looking across the Huangpu River to Pudong, there was nothing there but only two or three broken-down warehouses. A dock was collapsing and falling into the river. But now when you look across the river, you see this”, he turned back to look at the bustling scene of the Shanghai Bund displayed on the studio screen. “In forty years. It’s really quite remarkable.” I saw a little tear in his eyes, which reflects the strength of emotion Leonard has for China and the transformation it has gone through.

Speaking of life in Shanghai today, he smiled heartily. "Shanghai is very livable now. Although I am not rich, I can go around here and do something interesting."

Leonard has been enthusiastic about public welfare in Shanghai and is concerned about the education of migrant children. His concern for these children began as early as when he settled in Hong Kong. He objectively evaluated the living conditions of the migrant families and their children that were in the city." Shanghai has done a lot of practical and effective work in migrant children’s education, employment and living conditions. The Chinese government has been actively responding to the migrant issue, and the current medical care and education of urban migrants has been greatly improved, but it is still a challenge."

Leonard and the faculty of a migrant children’s school in Shanghai