The Chinese presents an intimate and nuanced photographic exploration of everyday life in China during the early 21st century. Liu Zheng’s approach captures candid portraits and scenes that reveal layers of personal and collective identity amid rapid social change. Through a mix of formal composition and spontaneous moments, the work examines themes of tradition, modernity, and the tensions between public and private lives.

The photographs convey a mood of quiet observation rather than overt commentary, inviting viewers to engage with the complexities of Chinese society as lived by its diverse individuals. Liu Zheng’s focus on ordinary people in their environments highlights both continuity and transformation. The book’s 176 pages provide a coherent sequence that allows for reflection on the contrasts and commonalities shaping contemporary China.