In the 1980s China was a far different place than it is now. The country was in the early phases of development and changing rapidly.

Charles Ray had a unique view of the country in that era – spending about 4 years as a diplomat at the U.S. consulates in Guangzhou and Shenyang.

He later went on to become the U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia and Zimbabwe.

His journey began as a young boy in Texas dreaming of visiting the Great Wall.

CGTN’s Jim Spellman reports.