Award-Winning Photojournalist Captured 21 Impressive Pictures China Wouldn't Want Anyone To See

Lu Guang’s photographs have exposed the sides of China that its government is not keen on talking about: drug addicts, environmental problems, HIV patients, and so on. This time, though, the award-winning photographer has himself become the center of a story. His wife Xu Xiaoli claims she has not heard from her husband since November 3rd, 2018.

On 23rd October, the photographer flew to Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang region, where he was planning to attend some photography events. Then, he was to fly to Sichuan to meet his friend Mr. Chen to participate in a charity event. However, Mr. Chen couldn't find or contact the photographer.

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When Mr. Chen asked Guang’s wife about his whereabouts, she had nothing. To investigate the situation, Ms. Xu decided to contact the wife of the person that had invited her husband to Xinjiang. She was told both Mr. Lu and the host had been taken away by national security. Local officers from Zhejiang province, Mr. Lu’s hometown, later confirmed this.

Worker in Wuhai City, Inner Mongolia. April 10, 2005.

“He has been lost for more than twenty days,” his wife said. “As his most direct family member, I have not received any notice of his arrest,” Ms. Xu said on Twitter. “I have repeatedly contacted Xinjiang police but have been unable to get through. It is our twentieth wedding anniversary [next week]. We should be celebrating it together. I can only hope for his safe return. ”

A heavy truck carrying coal and lime drives away, causing dust to fly and harm the nearby residents.

BBC reported that Xinjiang has become notorious for its tight security controls, heavy surveillance and police presence, tackling what they describe as growing radicalism amongst the ethnic Uighur Muslim community. The government is sensitive to criticism and has detained reporters that were investigating negative stories about China in the past.

Eleven-year-old Xu Li of Hutsou is diagnosed with bone cancer.

“The reality in China is you never know if you’re going to get into trouble because there are no written rules,” said the photographer in a 2017 interview.

Kids also live in the industrial district. China is now the second-largest economy in the world. Its economic development has consumed a lot of energy and generated plenty of pollution.

Kids also live in the industrial district. China is now the second-largest economy in the world. Its economic development has consumed a lot of energy and generated plenty of pollution.

The photographer won at the 2004 World Press Photo competition for his exposure of “AIDS villages,” where people 678 people got infected with HIV after selling their blood. Out of 3,000 people, 678 contracted HIV and 200 died.

A woman carrying her severely ill grandson implores the sky to prevent the devil of pain returning.

Disabled orphans adopted by charitable farmers.

Kids with cerebral palsy licks milk powder off a bed to feed.

Laseng Temple has an over 200-year-old history, including the study of Mongolian medicines. It was severely polluted by the surrounding factories, so few pilgrims go there now.

Many factories have been moved from the country’s east to its central and western parts. Employees work in the dust.

The Baotou Steel plant dumps mineral processing sewage into the tailings dam.

The chemical industrial park of Yanwei Port in the city of Lianyungang dumps sewage in the sea.

In the jeans-producing village of Xintang Town, in Guangdong, workers gain the stone for grinding the denim every morning.

A wife caring for her dying husband.

Qi Guihua, held here by her husband, fell ill when she returned to the village from Beijing to celebrate the Spring Festival. She died two hours after this photo was taken.

Families such as this one have sold almost everything valuable in their home to help meet medical expenses.

A young girl warms her hands in winter. Her father is infected with HIV and still cares for five kids and his elderly parents.

Two girls prepare for the funeral of their six-year-old brother, that 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 hasn't answered yet.

Photography: Lu Guang

Reference: Bored Panda