The “Chinese Stories” photography exhibition, organized by the China Photographers Association and co-organized by the UK-China Photography Association, opened in London on May 6. Guests from the Chinese and British photography communities, along with representatives from the cultural, arts, and media sectors, attended the opening ceremony. ( By Jian Ping Sun )
According to the organisers, the “Chinese Stories” photography exhibition has toured more than 50 countries and regions, including Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Germany, and France since it was first launched. Through photography, the exhibition presents a multidimensional portrayal of China — from historical heritage and cultural depth to modern development, ecological progress, and natural scenery. The photographs showcase authentic, vivid, and riveting stories about the country. The curatorial vision behind the exhibition is to promote photographic and cultural exchanges between China and other countries by fostering shared understanding and connections between people of different backgrounds.
The “Chinese Stories” exhibition features 38 selected photographic works centred on the themes of Chinese landscapes and culture. The photographs highlight the diversity of contemporary China in areas such as social development, cultural preservation, and ecological construction. Through the camera lens, British audiences experience a country that is dynamic, open, inclusive, and committed to sustainable development.
Li Ge, chairman of the China Photographers Association, remarked that this was the association’s first visit to the United Kingdom in nearly a decade. He expressed hope that this exhibition would transcend language and geographical borders to deepen exchanges and cooperation between the photography communities of the countries.
He noted that in recent years, the Chinese and British photography communities have continued to engage in bilateral exchanges using the camera lens as a bridge. British photographers have actively participated in international photography exhibitions in China. In addition, the Chinese side have regularly invited representatives of the Royal Photographic Society to visit China for exchanges.
Minster Counsellor Zhao Fei from the Chinese Embassy in the UK stated that photography is an art form that documents cultural shifts and social evolution, whilst also serving as an important mode of communication that transcends the barriers of language and geography. Through the lens, people are able to understand each other’s cultures more directly and build emotional connections.
He added that following China’s implementation of a unilateral visa-free policy for British citizens, more people from the United Kingdom are welcome to visit China and experience firsthand the country’s breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage.
Simon Hill, President of the Royal Photographic Society, also spoke during the opening ceremony. The Royal Photographic Society hs a history of more than 170 years and is one of the world’s most influential photography institutions. Simon Hill pointed out that photographers living in China now account for more than 35 percent of its international membership, fully demonstrating the unique appeal of photography as a “universal language.”
He discussed how photography is not just an art form, but also a way of understanding the world. A single photograph can enable people to experience the lives, cultures, and emotions of a different country. He added that the “Chinese Stories” photography exhibition presents British audiences with a vivid and authentic portrayal of a continuously developing and vibrant China through truly compelling images. After viewing the exhibition, he candidly reflected how the “photography has inspired my longing to see China”.
