Pan and some foreign visitors. [Photo/Tide News]

A short video filmed at Hangzhou's West Lake has gone viral, showing a 97-year-old Chinese man chatting confidently in fluent English with a British vlogger.

In the clip, the white-haired senior smiles and asks, "Guess how old I am?" When the vlogger guesses 65, he laughs and replies, "I am 97!" The exchange has drawn widespread praise online, with many applauding his confidence and lifelong passion for learning.

The man, Zhou Panlin, graduated from the chemistry department of Zhejiang University, where English-language textbooks first sparked his deep interest in the language. Now living alone in Hangzhou, Zhou visits the West Lake every afternoon to strike up conversations with foreign visitors, using English to stay connected with the world.

Over the years, he has befriended travelers from across the globe, including a Danish airline captain and students from Italy. He often acts as a local guide, introducing Hangzhou's history and culture while exchanging stories and ideas.

Despite his age, Zhou continues to study English daily by reading books and browsing online materials. He encourages learners to overcome their fear and speak boldly. "Speak loudly, communicate bravely, learn aggressively," he says.

Zhou shows an English book gifted by a foreign friend. [Photo/Tide News]