Exploring socio-political realities through a stark documentary style, The Chinese presents a compelling visual investigation of contemporary China. Liu Zheng employs a methodical and direct approach, capturing portraits and street scenes that reveal the complexities of identity, labor, and social transformation.

The photographs navigate a range of environments and subjects, focusing on the lives of individuals amid rapid modernization and persistent tradition. The mood is often somber and introspective, inviting reflection on the changing contours of Chinese society in the early 21st century. The work’s thoughtful composition and restrained color palette emphasize a nuanced understanding of the tensions and contradictions present in the depicted communities.

Published in 2004 by Steidl, the 176-page volume offers a substantial engagement with Liu Zheng’s visual investigation, combining historical and contemporary perspectives within a coherent photographic narrative.