CAA China’s Leader on Censorship, Why China Needs a Global Hit and Translating for Spielberg
on June 18, 2015
The first U.S. talent agency with full-time representation in China marks 10 years in Beijing.
Hong Kong Vetoes China-Backed Electoral Reform Proposal
on June 18, 2015
The rejection was expected and will likely appease activists who demanded a veto of what they call "fake" reforms.
Has China’s ‘One Country, Two Systems’ Experiment Failed?
A ChinaFile Conversation
on June 17, 2015
As Hong Kong’s legislature began debate this week on the reform package that could shape the future of the local political system, the former British colony’s pro-democracy lawmakers swore again they will reject electoral reforms proposed by the Chinese Communist Party leadership in Beijing. More than 1,000 people gathered outside government buildings as debate began on Wednesday over the draft that would allow each Hong Kong person a vote in the election of their next leader in 2017—but only in a field of pre-screened candidates who support Beijing.—The Editors
Wang Yuxiu, 71, Xie Hong, 12, Xie, 74, Jingshan Village
on June 17, 2015
Wang Yuxiu, 71, Xie Hong, 12, and Xie, 74, Jingshan Village.
Twelve-year-old Xie Hong sits between her grandparents, who are her primary caretakers. Her mother left her after her father died. Often widows don’t stay with in-laws in rural China, even though they may leave their children behind. Hong says she wants to study to become a doctor “to take care of my grandparents, [who are] too often sick.” The frames above the kang are embroidery made by Hong’s grandmother.
Kang 56
on June 17, 2015
Li Caiping, 46, Dashi Village
on June 17, 2015
Li Caiping, 46, Dashi Village.
Li has two daughters and a son. Her eldest daughter is a dancer in a show for tourists at the National Park of Jiuzhaigou in Sichuan province and sends part of her wages back to Li. Li has a bad leg from a birth defect. Her teenaged son quit school last year and doesn’t work. “Boys are harder to raise than girls. They are lazy,” she says. She rents out her land to neighbors and keeps 1 mu (0.16 acres) for herself.
Wang Juju, 74, Baituo Village
on June 17, 2015
Wang Juju, 74, Baituo Village.
During the Great Leap Famine of the early ’60s, Wang’s nine siblings left the region in search of food. He never saw them again. He went two weeks without eating anything. Nowadays, he survives by producing honey from four beehives. A comforter on Wang’s kang has the word “Love” printed on it.
Dong Juming, 67, Yu Zhanglai, 67, Yujiaping Village
on June 17, 2015
Dong Juming, 67, and Yu Zhanglai, 67, Yujiaping Village.
More than half of the population of Yujiaping has moved to a new village, but a new house costs 200,000 RMB (U.S.$32,000) and Dong and his wife can’t afford to move. When a new road was built between the old and new villages, each family was supposed to contribute 1,000 RMB, but the couple didn’t have the money.
Niu Taotao, 22, Anyuan Village
on June 17, 2015
Niu Taotao, 22, Anyuan Village.
Niu left her village at 17 to work in Beijing, but after three years came back to care for her younger brother. Their parents are dead. She has a boyfriend whom she met through a relative. He is from the same county but works in a factory in Beijing. They have only met twice in person but talk regularly via the Internet. She says she prefers life in the village, which she finds more comfortable and safer than Beijing. In Anyuan, she tends the small family apple orchard and enjoys watching TV during her free time.
Liu Dexiang, 75, Baituo Village
on June 17, 2015
Liu Dexiang, 75, Baituo Village.
