22 photographs of Chinese photographer Li Guang, who disappeared because of his beliefs

For most of us, China is huge modern metropolises, beautiful pagodas, fabulously beautiful rivers and mountains and, of course, the Great Wall of China. But there is another China, which the country’s authorities are trying to hide from everyone. Photographer Li Guang (卢广) revealed to the world precisely these creepy sides of the Celestial Empire. Zones of environmental disasters, poverty, drug addiction, people with HIV - all these frightening things can be seen in his photographs. The government of the country did not forgive the photographer for his love for the truth, and he disappeared without a trace.

World-famous photographer Li Guang disappeared while visiting the Chinese province of Xinjiang. This region is the poorest and most environmentally polluted, and is under increased government control. On October 23, 2018, the man flew to the provincial capital, Urumqi. He was supposed to take part in several exhibitions. On November 5, Li Guang planned to fly to the south of the country, to the city of Sichuan, but suddenly disappeared.

Only 20 days later, the photographer’s wife, Xu Xiaoli, found out that her husband had been detained by state security officers. The woman received no notification of his arrest. She contacted the police several times, but they did not give any answer. Xu Xiaoli suspects that Li Guang was detained because of his work. The photographer was not afraid to show the most unsightly sides of Chinese reality.

Lu Guang was well known all over the world. He has won the World Press Photo competition three times. The photographer lived for many years with his family in the USA, in New York, but often visited his homeland, documenting environmental and social problems.

Unfortunately, apart from information about the detention, there is no more information about the fate of Li Guang. His family still hopes that one day he will return home, but every year the chances of a favorable outcome decrease. What could the Chinese authorities not like about the work of a photojournalist? See for yourself. It seems the answer is obvious.