Chinese Portrait

The China photo project is documenting the life of a country at a time when its villages are turning into cities and cities into mega—cities. These portraits, taken before the 2008 Beijing Olympics, represent the diversity of the nation in the faces of people: farmers, gynecologists, TV presenters, village elders, singing gondoliers, prostitutes, aging revolutionaries, circus stars, bank employees, tramps and garbage collectors.

(13 photos in total)

1. Helena Zhao Lingxi, a bank employee. Helena likes to come to Beidaihe with her boyfriend to escape from the heat in Beijing. This is a fashionable resort where Chinese party members like to spend the summer. Now you can also see the working class on the beaches. (Photo by Mathias Braschler and Monika Fischer)

2. "Chai" Riccardo Relusio Jr., singing gondolier in "Venice Macau" - casino and hotel in Macau. (Photo by Mathias Braschler and Monika Fischer)

3. Li Hui, an employee of the cotton quality control station. (Photo by Mathias Braschler and Monika Fischer)

4. Chen Likin (22 years old), works at a chili pepper drying plant in the desert. (Photo by Mathias Braschler and Monika Fischer)

5. Hao Han (8 years old) is a student at the Shaolin Monastery and an actor. (Photo by Mathias Braschler and Monika Fischer)

6. Dai Huaquan (62 years old), hairdresser. (Photo by Mathias Braschler and Monika Fischer)

7. Liu Baozhu (25 years old) is a garment factory worker. (Photo by Mathias Braschler and Monika Fischer)

8. Liu Tianyu (91 years old) is the oldest living participant of the "Great Campaign" in the house of revolutionaries. (Photo by Mathias Braschler and Monika Fischer)

9. Pachmu (48 years old) and Ranmuja (5 years old) are Tibetan nomads. (Photo by Mathias Braschler and Monika Fischer)

10. Song Liping (28 years old) accountant, Huan Kunhua (27 years old) administrator and their son Huan Jingxuan (4 years old). (Photo by Mathias Braschler and Monika Fischer)

11. Wang Wei (16 years old) is a truck mechanic. (Photo by Mathias Braschler and Monika Fischer)

12. Yin Ming Shan (70 years old) – President and founder of the Lifan Holdings auto and moto factory. (Photo by Mathias Braschler and Monika Fischer)

13. Xia Yang (40 years old) on horseback Xiao Ji is the president and owner of the polo club. (Photo by Mathias Braschler and Monika Fischer)