US man offered ‘national gift’ to settle in China after donating historical Japan invasion photos

2026.03.21 10:20 United States citizen Evan Kail has settled in China after gaining popularity for his historical photographs of Japanese soldiers invading China during WWII. Photo: SCMP composite/Weibo/RedNote An American man who donated photographs of the Japanese invasion of China in World War II and received a national gift of porcelain from China has announced that he has settled in the country. On March 15, Evan Kail announced the news on social media, saying that he has chosen to live in Tianjin in the north of the country, according to a report by the Beijing News. Evan Kail displays one of the historic photos of invading Japanese soldiers. Photo: www.163.com Minnesota pawn shop owner Kail, 37, has enjoyed enormous popularity in China after he donated an album containing more than 30 photographs of occupying Japanese soldiers during the war to the consulate General of China in Chicago in November 2022. The consulate general sent him a precious yellow porcelain vase, along with a thank-you letter. “History serves as a mirror for the people today and your donation certainly helps inspire everyone with a kind heart to safeguard peace,” said Consul General Zhao Jian in the letter. National gift porcelain, made by ceramic masters, is a diplomatic present from China. The album of photographs, above, shows some of the atrocities carried out by Japan’s invading army. Photo: www.163.com The nation has sent out dozens of such exquisite artworks, with recipients mostly being foreign leaders like former US presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. International organisations have also received the honour. Kail said after the photographic donation he received death threats from internet users. He had to wear a bulletproof vest and dared not leave home for some time. But he said he did not regret donating the album to China. Kail, above, has settled in China after gaining popularity for presenting his gift to the nation. Photo: www.163.com It remains unclear exactly who m

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