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The colors of China: 30 years of China’s history in pictures

Last Updated on 2023/05/16

The images of Weng Naiqiang, a veteran photographer, tell marginal but significant episodes of Chinese daily life that intertwine with the great historical moments and the hardships that the country was experiencing.

This group of pictures is produced by Tencent pictures and China National Geographic Publishing House.

Related articles: Sino-Soviet images , Propaganda during Cultural Revolution , Propaganda for Chinese children during Cultural RevolutionThe beginning of the Cultural Revolution , the trains of MaoCultural revolution memorabilia , the Great Tangshan earthquake.

Dazhai commune
In 1960, a brigade of Dazhai commune in Shanxi City, after the implementation of the agricultural co-operation, started the construction of terraced fields improving the production of the village grain of seven times. In 1963, Mao invited the people to follow the spirit of the model commune of Dazhai. The photo shows people who came from all over to visit and study Dazhai.
1966. Students teaching the thought of Mao to peasants.
1966. Students teaching the thought of Mao to peasants.
1968. Guangdong Zhujiang factory sending young workers to join the army.
1968. Guangdong Zhujiang factory sending young workers to join the army.
1968. Between the 50s and 70s, tens of thousands of young intellectuals, answering the call of the party, came in the northern province of Heilongjiang, to defend and strengthen the borders, reclaiming the land. In 1968, Weng Naiqiang began to visit frequently this area.
1968. Between the 50s and 70s, tens of thousands of young intellectuals, answering the call of the party, came in the northern province of Heilongjiang, to defend and strengthen the borders, reclaiming the land. In 1968, Weng Naiqiang began to visit frequently this area.
1970. Young students working with farmers of the ethnic Yi minority, in Yunnan.
1970. Young students working with farmers of the ethnic Yi minority, in Yunnan.
1971. Harvesting the fields. A propaganda performance for the workers.
1971. Harvesting the fields. A propaganda performance for the workers.
1971. Shandong fishermen reading the little red book of Mao.
1971. Shandong fishermen reading the little red book of Mao.
1971. On the island of Weichangshan, in front of Dalian, in 1958, a group of women, breaking the Chinese traditions, decided to go fishing, with excellent results. In 1962, the "March 8" was the first vessel to sail driven by a woman captain, Wen Shuzen. In 1971, the March 8 captured a record amount of shrimps. The export of shrimps at that time represented an important economic resource for China.
1971. On the island of Weichangshan, in front of Dalian, in 1958, a group of women, breaking the Chinese traditions, decided to go fishing, with excellent results. In 1962, the “March 8” was the first vessel to sail driven by a woman captain, Wen Shuzen. In 1971, the March 8 captured a record amount of shrimps. The export of shrimps at that time represented an important economic resource for China.
1970s. Chenjiagou, the Chen Family Village, Jiaozuo, in Henan. Here, the inhabitants of the village traditionally practiced a particular form of martial arts, called Chenjiagou Taijiquan.
1970s. Chenjiagou, the Chen Family Village, Jiaozuo, in Henan. Here, the inhabitants of the village traditionally practiced a particular form of martial arts, called Chenjiagou Taijiquan.
1970s. Xitang, Zhejiang, is one of the birthplaces of Wu-Yue culture and is a Chinese historical city, characterized by an architecture crossed by a network of canals and bridges. Boats are an important means of transportation for residents.
1970s. Xitang, Zhejiang, is one of the birthplaces of Wu-Yue culture and is a Chinese historical city, characterized by an architecture crossed by a network of canals and bridges. Boats are an important means of transportation for residents.
1970s. Zhejiang. Women busy in embroidery.
1970s. Zhejiang. Women busy in embroidery.
1970s. Towards the end of the decade, Guangzhou is at the forefront with regard to the process of reform and opening. With the economic recovery, businesses are beginning to emerge. In the picture, one of the first shops in the city.
1970s. Towards the end of the decade, Guangzhou is at the forefront with regard to the process of reform and opening. With the economic recovery, businesses are beginning to emerge. In the picture, one of the first shops in the city.
1970s. At work. The traffic on the Haizhu bridge in Guangzhou.
1970s. At work. The traffic on the Haizhu bridge in Guangzhou.
1980s. In the early 80s, the first televisions begin to enter Chinese homes. The image shows a TV color set just bought while being transported in some way at home.
1980s. In the early 80s, the first televisions begin to enter Chinese homes. The image shows a TV color set just bought while being transported in some way at home.
1970s. Shanghai. The Bund. Morning exercises.
1970s. Shanghai. The Bund. Morning exercises.
After 10 years of suspension of the cultural life of the country, in 1977 the college entrance examination system was restored, people begin to study. The value of science, knowledge, and culture is recognized again. In the photo, a library in Guangdong.
After 10 years of suspension of the cultural life of the country, in 1977 the college entrance examination system was restored, people begin to study. The value of science, knowledge, and culture is recognized again. In the photo, a library in Guangdong.
1977-78. college students ready to take the entrance exam. A new ruling and intellectual class take shape.
1980. Chinese women's volleyball team won the first world championship. People taking to the streets to celebrate.
1980. Chinese women’s volleyball team won the first world championship. People taking to the streets to celebrate.
1980s. During the years of the Cultural Revolution, important archaeological finds in the area of ​​Xi'an were made. A souvenir seller in front of the Mausoleum.
1980s. During the years of the Cultural Revolution, important archaeological finds in the area of ​​Xi’an were made. A souvenir seller in front of the Mausoleum.

“The Color of China: over 30 years of history of images”, is a book of photographs of Weng Naijiang available in China, in Chinese. The book consists of a selection of 445 pictures, commented by the author, that tell the rapid social changes in the recent history of China.

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Topic: China’s history pictures,Dazhai commune,Chinese propaganda pictures, Cultural Revolution images, Cultural Revolution photos, chinese history in pictures,history of china in pictures,china history photos

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