Hello and welcome to  Voices from Other Lands on China Radio International. I'm your host Zhou Jing.

Karin Malmstrom who came to China in 1980 was among the first batch of Americans to explore the country. And since then, she has enjoyed staying here so much that she hasn't even thought about leaving. Fluent and literate in Mandarin, Malmstrom has worked in a wide variety of fields in China including the auto, steel and travel industries, metal and mineral trading, education and journalism. And in 2006, Malmstrom joined the cotton industry as the director of Cotton USA's China Office, the export promotion arm of the National Cotton Council of America. Earlier I spoke to Karin Malmstrom about the green lifestyle of using cotton products and her own experiences in China.

You are listening to  Voices from Other Lands. I'm Zhou Jing. Joining me today is Karin Malmstrom, who has lived here for almost 30 years and currently serves as Cotton Council International's Director for China. Time for a short break but we'll be back with the story of how Karin became fascinated with China.

Welcome back. You are listening to  Voices from Other Lands on China Radio International. I'm Zhou Jing.

In 2003, Karin Malmstrom cast herself loose from working within a global corporation, and resurrected her communications consultancy, called Malmstrom Associates Orient, providing businesses advice to corporations and organizations that are looking in at China and Chinese companies looking out to the world. Her skill in management is definitely one reason that Cotton USA invited her to join in.

It's holiday season again. As Chinese becomes more open to western cultures and festivals, Karin Malmstrom says the festive atmosphere here in China during Christmas is no less than everywhere else around the world.

That was Karin Malmstrom talking about her current occupation with Cotton USA and her experiences in China. Flexibility is the key to Malmstrom's success in the wide range of industries she has worked in.

And that wraps up today's  Voices from Other Lands. To listen to today's show or any of our previous editions, please visit crienglish.com. If you have any comments or suggestions, drop us an email at voices@cri.com.cn.

From Beijing, I'm Zhou Jing, wishing everybody a merry Christmas and a happy new year.

Goodbye!

Promo: Next year is the International Year of Natural Fibers declared by the United Nations. Want to embrace the green fibre of cotton but fear that it's old-fashioned? Karin Malmstrom Cotton USA's director for China tells you cotton products can not only represent comfort but also high fashion. That's tomorrow/today on Voices from Other Land on China Radio International.