Flashback to a China in the 1980s on the brink of change.

Another world, one of bicycles, and more bicycles, regulation Mao suits and early morning calm.

Looking back, I realise how privileged I was to have lived in China at that time and to have documented my every day life and travels in the "Middle Kingdom".

Following Mao Zedong's death in 1976, President Deng Xiao Ping set about transforming China into a modern state by launching his "4-modernisations" program to strengthen the sectors of agriculture, industry, technology and defence, thus opening up China's doors to the west. As a European, living in China in the 1980's, I was allowed to socialise with the Chinese, albeit under the watchful eye of party members.

This was indeed a unique moment in history, a turning point.  

At one time, in the late 1970s, there was a glimmer of hope that a 5th modernisation, that of democracy would be added ... but China remained "red".

For more photos on this theme, go to https://www.brenda-turnnidge.fr/p121308002 "When the East was Red".

Brenda Turnnidge, Paris April 2020

2. Chaoyang traditional dwellings, 1989The East was red 2. Chaoyang traditional dwellings, 1989 1. Couple in YueXiu Park, Canton 1980sCouple in YueXiu Park, Canton 1980s Original in "All Photographs". 3. Washing Day, Canton backstreetsOct 84 4. Canton traffic 1988Original in "All Photographs". 5. Lunch break for new arrivals looking for work at Canton statiLunch break for new arrivals looking for work at Canton station 6. Taking ducks to market, CantonTaking ducks to market, Canton 7. Morning exercisers, Canton 8. Canton, Reading newspapers in public8. China, Reading newspapers in public 9. Mao iwatches over Chengdu, 1986Mao iwatches over Chengdu, 1986 10. Cycling across Haizu BridgeJune 1984, Cycling across Haizu Bridge 11. Shantou junksShantou junks 1989 When the East was Red (Shantou)