SHANGHAI - German dance instructor Alan Richter's love of Chinese culture extends beyond hotpot and kungfu. He also borrows his wife's Chinese surname when the occasion presents itself.

"My wife is a descendant of the Plain Blue Banner soldiers of Mongolia that date back to the Qing Dynasty. So by taking her family name I feel like I have a closer connection with Chinese culture," the 44-year-old said.

"He must have been Chinese in a past life," said his wife, Tong Mei. "He enjoys his life in China so much."