World Press Photo award winning journalist, Lu Guang, is known for documenting the dark side of China’s booming economy. He candidly captures problems such as HIV, drug addiction and environmental issues of China; all which the government isn’t keen on openly addressing.
This time, however, the unique photographer has himself become the center of a story. The photographer might have become the latest victim of the Chinese government’s extreme censorship as his wife Xu Xiaoli claims she hasn’t heard from her husband since the 3rd of November. Reportedly, Lu has been taken away by national security as local provincial authorities don’t want bad publicity.
Here are 9 jarring images of China candidly shot by the award winning photographer himself, which you need to see:
1. A large amount of pollutants being emitted by factories near by.
2. Maladi is a base for burning lime, where many workers from Ningxia and Gansu live. The lime kilns discharge lots of poisonous smoke and dust.
3. A heavy truck carrying coal and lime drives away, causing dust to fly and harming the nearby residents.
4. Environmental pollution and no premarital checkup have caused a rise in the number of unhealthy babies. The photo shows an infant who died after being abandoned.
5. Eleven-year-old Xu Li of Hutsou is diagnosed with bone cancer.
6. Children with cerebral palsy lick milk powder off a bed.
7. Disabled orphans adopted by charitable farmers.
8. In the jeans-producing village of Xintang Town, in Guangdong, workers gain the stone for grinding the denim every morning.
9. Two girls prepare for the funeral of their six-year-old brother who died from AIDS.
Cédric Alviani, the director of Reporters Without Borders’ East Asia bureau, called on China to disclose where Lu is and to “guarantee journalists’ freedom of movement and security, including in Xinjiang Province.” It has not been answered yet.
