Who is China?

  Kunming, China
Wednesday, March 8, 2006

Who is China?

As China rapidly develops and people are moving from the countryside to urban areas, large cities such as Kunming become melting pots for a wide variety of Chinese people. Surviving in the city is often difficult, with many people living with little income. Jobs such as shoe shiners, sidewalk salesperson, and recyclers who dig through trash cans for empties are common. In front of stores, workers clap their hands to attract customers. On the street, people offer massages and play music. Weekdays seem like weekends, with crowds of people everywhere--shopping, eating, playing cards, skateboarding, biking, walking dogs, talking, or playing music together. These are the diverse people of the new urban China.

Together, through their work, their art, their philosophy, their demeanor, their play, and their actions, they define what it is to be Chinese.

Who is China? Take a look...