Nathaniel Haste

Personally, I believe this photo is rather good summation of China. In the forefront is a traditional, small, Chinese street – called a Hutong. In the background is a soviet-style apartment block which is common in modern China. Though Soviet-style and governed by the communist party, China is far from communist; the shops in the foreground which highlight China’s open, market-economy demonstrate this contradiction. Overall, China presents itself as a country unique in culture yet also as a modern, free and relatively-rich country. However, China is far less open about the present; Chinese history may be boasted but in the public sphere recent politics is not. In all, China is a communist/capitalist as well as open/closed contradiction.