China: portrait of a country in transition
-A stunning look at one of the most powerful nations on Earth
-Beautiful images and fascinating background information
-Complete, up-to-date view of a country undergoing monumental change
-Colored by personal experiences of a talented author-photographer from Hong Kong
China, an impressive country with 1.3 billion inhabitants, was until recently a closed book to the West. But with the arrival of the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008, both trade and tourism are starting to flourish and China is attracting more and more visitors.
With this in mind, author-photographer Basil Pao travels through all of China’s provinces, capturing history and landscapes, people and places, and providing a comprehensive snapshot of China today. It is also a deeply personal journey, a chance for Pao to finally discover his own heritage, overcome his prejudices, and gain a greater understanding of the cultural legacy that runs through his veins.
The result is sometimes lyrical and endearing, sometimes powerful and overwhelming. The combination of beautiful images and fascinating background information creates an account that is both personal and documentary. It shows China in transition: a country in the grip of an industrial revolution. A country that is rediscovering and simultaneously destroying 4,000 years of cultural history. New urban wealth and rural poverty exist uneasily side by side, while a new regime puts an end to a legacy of corruption, anarchy and oppression.
Never before has anyone undertaken such an ambitious journey. China: Portrait of a Country in Motion is an impressive and stunning look at one of the most powerful nations on earth.