Looking for He Guizhen

Chapter 1 – Wushan 巫山

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People hanging out at the riverbank in the hot summer night. - Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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By the completion of the Three Gorges Dam, the water of the Yangtze River at Wushan raised 95 meters. The entire city moved to the upper part the hill. The new arrangement of the city resulted in many monumental stairs linking the city to the river bank. - Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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Hanging out at the river bank was the common activities for residents in the hot summer night. - Wushan, Chongqing, China June 2011

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The bus station at Wushan. Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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The main pier of Wushan - Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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By the completion of the Three Gorges Dam, the water of the Yangtze River at Wushan raised 95 meters. The entire city moved to the upper part the hill. The new arrangement of the city resulted in many monumental stairs connecting the city to the river bank. - Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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The vendor selling fruits at the pier by the Yangtze River. - Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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The pier in Wushan. - Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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Once upon a time, the Russian made speed boat was the most efficient and dominating way to travel on the Three Gorges part of the Yangtze River. By 2011, the water traffic had largely replaced by the surface traffic on the expressway. Wushan to Yichang, Hubei Province was one of very few surviving routes on the water by using the speed boat. Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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Once upon a time, the Russian made speed boat was the most efficient and dominating way to travel on the Three Gorges part of the Yangtze River. By 2011, the water traffic had largely replaced by the surface traffic on the expressway. Wushan to Yichang, Hubei Province was one of very few surviving routes on the water by using the speed boat. Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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The fruits vendor at the pier by the Yangtze River. - Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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A crowd in the People’s Square of Wushan. People gathered to watch a gala sponsored by a real estate developer to promote the new residential complex on the Yangtze River. - Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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A crowd in the People’s Square of Wushan. People gathered to watch a gala sponsored by a real estate developer to promote the new residential complex on the Yangtze River. - Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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A crowd in the People’s Square of Wushan. People gathered to watch a gala sponsored by a real estate developer to promote the new residential complex on the Yangtze River. - Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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A crowd in the People’s Square of Wushan. People gathered to watch a gala sponsored by a real estate developer to promote the new residential complex on the Yangtze River. - Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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By the completion of the Three Gorges Dam, the water of the Yangtze River at Wushan raised 95 meters. The entire city moved to the upper part the hill. The new arrangement of the city resulted in many monumental stairs linking the city to the river bank. - Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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A crowd in the People’s Square of Wushan, a town outside of Chongqing. People gathered to watch a gala sponsored by a local real estate developer to promote his new residential complex on the Yangtze River. - Wushan, Chongqing, June 2011

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The dawn hour view the Yangtze River and the gateway to the Longmen Gorge in Wushan. - Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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A sightseeing cruise sailed to the Longmen Gorge which lies beyond the bridge. - Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

Chapter 2 – Guihua Village 桂花村

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The contact sheet showing the condition of Mr. Dai's home in Guihua Village, Wushan, June 2011

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The contact sheet showing the condition of Mr. Dai's home in Guihua Village, Wushan, June 2011

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Contact sheet of Wushan and the way to go to Guihua Village, Wushan to look for He Guizhen. -Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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Guihua Village, Mr. Yang Shin’s home. The woman in the last three images are Mr. Yang’s wife. -Guihua Village, Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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In 1996, the state invested more than one million Yuan to build 13 houses for the villagers who were moving to the higher part of the hill along the river. However, due to the high price that set by the local village authority and the extreme poor quality of construction , no villagers wanted to purchase the assigned house. Since the completion, none of these houses has been occupied. - Guihua Village, Wushan, Chongqing, June 2011

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Mr. Dai Chenxing’s neighbor in his house. Guihua Village, Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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Mr. Dai Chenxing’s house is the one in between of two 2 stories houses. Mr. Dai wasn’t able to afford the house that was constructed by the government, he used some of his migration compensation fund to build this house. Guihua Village, Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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As the waters rose 100 meters after the completion of the Three Gorges Dam, Pipa Zhou where He Guizhou was from, was one of the 1,350 villages along the Yangtze River that were submerged. - Guihua Village, Wushan, Chongqing, June 2011

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The living room on the second floor of Mr. Yang’s house. It was for Mr. Yang’s son who was working in Chongqing with his wife. - Guihua Village, Wushan, Chongqing, June 2011

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The boat carrying tourist sailed into Longmen Gorge from the mainstream of the Yangtze River in Wushan. The lower exposed part of hills indicated the water level had reached to 175 meters. - Longmen Gorge, Wushan, Chongqing, June 2011

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In 1996, the state invested more than RMB 1 million yuan to build 13 houses for the villagers who were moving to the higher part of the hill along the river. However, due to the high price that set by the local village authority and the extreme poor quality of construction , no villagers wanted to purchase the assigned house. Since the completion, none of these houses has been occupied. - Guihua Village, Wushan, Chongqing, June 2011

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One of the villager who didn't move to other provinces rather moved to the high part of the hill in Wushan. - Guihua Village, Wushan, Chongqing, June 2011

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One of the villager who didn't move to other provinces rather moved to the high part of the hill in Wushan. - Guihua Village, Wushan, Chongqing, June 2011

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Near Guihua Village, Wushan, Chongqing, June 2011

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The motorcycle taxi (摩的）was the popular way to get around in the countryside in China. Mr. Wu was taking me to the village in Wushan as I was looking for He Guizhen. Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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Mr. Wu Wenxing was operating his motorcycle as a taxi in Wushan. He was taking me to a village in Wushan as I was looking for He Guizhen. Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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One of the villager, Mr. Dai who didn't move to other provinces rather moved to the high part of the hill in Wushan. - Guihua Village, Wushan, Chongqing, June 2011

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Mr. Dai Chenxing in his room. Guihua Village, Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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Mr. Dai Chenxing and his daughter-in-law at home. - Guihua Village, Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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Mr. Dai Chenxing’s son, daughter-in-law and grandson at home. Dai Chenxing’s son was born with issues with the eyes. His daughter-in-law had mental illness and was a run away wife from neighboring Hubei Province. According to Dai, she was abused by her husband. Yet, she married to Dai’s son again even the marriage was considered illegal. The grandson appeared with developmental issues that could be genetic. Guihua Village, Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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Mr. Dai Chenxing in his home in Guihua Village. Guihua Village, Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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Mr. Yang practiced his belief of Christianity at home privately. As the practice was highly restricted in China, Mr. Yang’s practice was considered illegal. Because of it, he had trouble with the local authority and spent a week in the jail. - Guihua Village, Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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Mr. Dai Chenxing was one of the villagers of Dongping Village who didn’t migrated to Hubei Province. Instead, he and his family moved to the higher part of the hill. Mr. Dai was with his grandson at his fellow villager, Mr. Yang’s home. - Guihua Village, Wushan, Chongqing, June 2011

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The road led to Guihua Village from the town center of Wushan was under construction. Wushan, Chongqing, June 2011

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The high bridge crossing the valley was one of many bridges and expressways constructed after 2008. - Wushan, Chongqing, June 2011

Chapter 3 – Met He Guizhen

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The boat coming to the pier from Yichang, Hubei Province. Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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The passengers were waiting to get on board. - Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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The passengers were waiting to get on board. - Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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The waiting room of the Pier of Wushan at night. - Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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The Pier of Wushan at night. - Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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The waiting room of the Pier of Wushan at night. - Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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The Pier of Wushan in the night. In 2011, there was still scheduled boat traveling from Yichang, Hubei Province to Wanxian via Wushan. Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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Mr. He Guizhen was able to do most of daily chores with one hand. Mr. He Guizhen lost his front right arm in an accident when fishing with explosives when he was 19 years old. He was cooking traditional Sichuan dishes when I visited him in 2011. Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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Mr. He Guizhen was able to do most of daily chores with one hand. Mr. He Guizhen lost his front right arm in an accident when fishing with explosives when he was 19 years old. He was cooking traditional Sichuan dishes when I visited him in 2011. Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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Mr. He Guizhen was able to do most of daily chores with one hand. Mr. He Guizhen lost his front right arm in an accident when fishing with explosives when he was 19 years old. He was cooking traditional Sichuan dishes when I visited him in 2011. Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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Mr. He Guizhen was able to do most of daily chores with one hand. Mr. He Guizhen lost his front right arm in an accident when fishing with explosives when he was 19 years old. He was cooking traditional Sichuan dishes when I visited him in 2011. Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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Mr. He Guizhen in the apartment. Wushan, Chongqing, China. June 2011

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Mr. He Guizhen in the minivan bus - Wushan, Chongqing, China,June 2011

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Mr. He Guizhen went to buy fresh vegetables for the dinner. - Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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In front of Mr. He Guizhen, it was the brand new Wushan, his home in Dongping Village was submerged in 2003. Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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Mr. He Guizhen was standing on the street of Wushan and looking at the Yangtze River. Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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Mr. He Guizhen walked down from the apartment. Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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Mr. He Guizhen stayed in his brother’s apartment in Wushan in 2009 to look after his nephew. Wushan, Chongqing China, June 2011

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Mr. He Guizhen held the picture of his nephew, He Chun. In 2009, Mr. He Guizhen’s brother left Wushan to Chongqing to work and left his son in Wushan to He Guizhen. He Guizhen was asked to look after He Chun, as return He Guizhen could stay in his brother’s apartment. By 2011, He Guizhen’s brother was about to take his son to Chonqing for high school, He Guizhen was anxious soon he would not be able to stay in this apartment. Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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Mr. He Guizhen was able to do most of daily chores with one hand. Mr. He Guizhen lost his front right arm in an accident when fishing with explosives when he was 19 years old. He was cooking traditional Sichuan dishes when I visited him in 2011. Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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In the kitchen of Mr. He Guizhen’s apartment - Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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Mr. He Guizhen was able to do most of daily chores with one hand. Mr. He Guizhen lost his front right arm in an accident when fishing with explosives when he was 19 years old. He was cooking traditional Sichuan dishes when I visited him in 2011. Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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Mr. He Guizhen went to buy fresh vegetables for the dinner. - Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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In front of Mr. He Guizhen, it was the brand new Wushan, his home in Dongping Village was submerged in 2003. Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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In front of Mr. He Guizhen, it was the brand new Wushan, his home in Dongping Village was submerged in 2003. Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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Mr. He Guizhen, Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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Mr. He Guizhen, Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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Mr. He Guizhen was pulling out the documents to show me as talking about his migration experience. - Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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Mr. He Guizhen was very proud of her daughter. He was pointing to an award that his daughter won. - Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

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Mr. He Guizhen was pulling out the documents to show me as talking about his migration experience. - Wushan, Chongqing, China, June 2011

Chapter 3 – Gusong Village 古松村

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The first house on the right was the one Mr. He Guizhen purchased in 2003 when he migrated to Gusong Village in Jingzhou. - Gusong Village, Jingzhou, Hubei Province, China, August, 2011

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Fishing at a pond in the park. - Jingzhou, Hubei Province, China, August 2011

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The bus station in Jingzhou. - Jingzhou, Hubei Province, China, August 2011

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The brick factory in Gusong Village, Jingzhou, Hubei Province. Mr. He Guizhen worked in the factory in 2005 prior to moving back to Wushan. At the factory, He Guizhen loaded the bricks to the truck and was paid 0.2 cent per brick. So roughly he was paid RMB 24 yuan daily. -Gusong Village, Jingzhou, Hubei Province, August 2011

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A feast lunch at Mr. Liang Jinqun’s home in Gusong Village, Jingzhou, Hubei Province. Mr. Liang and his family are originally from Dongping Village, Wushan. Due to the rising water, they migrated to Gusong Village in 2001. Mr. Liang was injured at work one day earlier, hence many of his Laoxiang (the people sharing the same home origin) came to greet and cheer him. - Gusong Village, Jingzhou, Hubei Province, China, August 2011

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The early morning training time for the young employees. Yichang, Hubei Province, China, August 2011

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A man was fishing on the riverbank of the Yangtze River in Yichang. Yichang, Hubei Province, China, August 2011

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A man was fishing at the Three Gorges Dam. - Yichang, Hubei Province, China, August 2011

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Farmer was selling pearls from her own farm under the old city wall in Jingzhou. - Jingzhou, Hubei Province, China, August 2011

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The old boat was used as the floating pier on the Yangtze River in Jingzhou. The boat was built in the 1950s with pour concrete. According to the staff working on the boat, it was common to use concrete to build boat in the 1950s when the metal is a scarcity. - Jingzhou, Hubei Province, China, August 2011 - Jingzhou, Hubei Province, China, August 2011

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The vehicles were waiting to get on the ferry to cross the Yangtze River. - Jingzhou, Hubei Province, China, August 2011

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Outside of Mr. Liang Jinqun’s home in Gusong Village. - Gusong Village, Jingzhou, Hubei Province, August 2011

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The riverbank of the Yangtze River in Jingzhou. - Jingzhou, Hubei Province, China, August 2011

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The vehicles were waiting to get on the ferry to cross the Yangtze River. - Jingzhou, Hubei Province, China, August 2011

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The riverbank of the Yangtze River in Jingzhou. - Jingzhou, Hubei Province, China, August 2011

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The riverbank of the Yangtze River in Jingzhou. - Jingzhou, Hubei Province, China, August 2011

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Jingzhou old city wall is one of the best preserved ancient city walls in China. The brick wall’s history went back to the Three Kingdom era (220-280 A.D) yet the most of the existing wall structure were constructed in Ming and Qing Dynasty. Comparing to the rest of administration area of Jingzhou municipality, the old town of Jingzhou appeared clam and slow pace,. - Jingzhou, Hubei Province, China, August 2011

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Gusong Village is 50 km away from the center of Jingzhou city. To get to Gusong Village from Jingzhou involved bus and motor-tricycle. - Gusong Village, Jingzhou, Hubei Province, August 2011

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The backyard of Mr. Liang Jinqun’s home in Gusong Village. - Gusong Village, Jingzhou, Hubei Province, China, August 2011

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Mr. Liang Jinqun’s home in Gusong Village, - Gusong Village Jingzhou, Hubei Province, China, August 2011

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The pier floating on the Yangtze River in Jingzhou. It was adopted from old boat that was made with concrete. - Jingzhou, Hubei Province, August 2011

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Ferry from Jingzhou to Laling Zhou across the Yangtze River - Jingzhou, Hubei Province, China, August 2011

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Mr. Liang’s wife and another Laoxiang were preparing lunch for the guests. - Gusong Village, Jingzhou, Hubei Province, August 2011

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On the bus en route to Gusong Village from Jingzhou. -Jingzhou, Hubei Province, China, August 2011

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The Yangtze River at Jingzhou. - Jingzhou, Hubei Province, August 2011

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The pier floating on the Yangtze River in Jingzhou. It was adopted from old boat that was made with concrete. - Jingzhou, Hubei Province, August 2011

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People hanging out at the riverbank of the Yangtze River in Jingzhou. The condition indicated the flood was under control during the rainy season like August in the downstream of the river. - Jingzhou, Hubei Province, China, August 2011

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Ferry from Jingzhou to Laling Zhou across the Yangtze River - Jingzhou, Hubei Province, China, August 2011

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Apart from the large sized ferry, many small motorboats ran across the Yangtze River between Jingzhou to Lalin Zhou. - Jingzhou, Hubei Province, China, August 2011

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Xiao Zien, born in 1943, is one of the migrants from Wushan in Gusong Village. He had been tirelessly fighting against the local authority for the unpaid compensation and benefit to the migrants. Among many odd jobs, Xiao worked as a caretaker for a local family for their fishpond in exchange for temporary accommodation. - Gusong Village, Jingzhou, Hubei province, Aug 2011

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Ferry from Jingzhou to Laling Zhou across the Yangtze River - Jingzhou, Hubei Province, China, August 2011

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Jingzhou is approximately 200 km down stream from the Three Gorge Dam. Although, the Yangtze River appeared wider and faster comparing to the waters in upper stream, after the construction of the Dam, the flood in the rainy season, like August, had been in better control. - Jingzhou, Hubei Province, August 2011

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En route to Gusong Village from Jingzhou. - Jingzhou, Hubei Province, China, August 2011

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The two stories building with 3-mu field was sold to Mr. He Guizhen at the price of RMB 30,000 yuan in 2003 when he moved to Gusong Village from Wushan. Mr. He and his family lived in the building for 2 years. In 2006, Mr He came back to Gusong Village to sell the property. The property was sold at the price of RMB 6,000 yuan. - Gusong Village, Jingzhou, Hubei Province, August 2011

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The two stories building with 3-mu field was sold to Mr. He Guizhen at the price of RMB 30,000 yuan in 2003 when he moved to Gusong Village from Wushan. Mr. He and his family lived in the building for 2 years. In 2006, Mr. He came back to Gusong Village to sell the property. The property was sold at the price of RMB 6,000 yuan. - Gusong Village, Jingzhou, Hubei Province, August 2011

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Xiao Zien, born in 1943, is one of the migrants from Wushan in Gusong Village. He had been tirelessly fighting against the local authority for the unpaid compensation and benefit to the migrants. Among many odd jobs, Xiao worked as a caretaker for a local family for their fishpond in exchange for temporary accommodation. - Gusong Village, Jingzhou, Hubei province, Aug 2011

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Xiao Zien, born in 1943, is one of the migrants from Wushan in Gusong Village. He had been tirelessly fighting against the local authority for the unpaid compensation and benefit to the migrants. Among many odd jobs, Xiao worked as a caretaker for a local family for their fishpond in exchange for temporary accommodation. - Gusong Village, Jingzhou, Hubei province, Aug 2011

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Xiao Zien, born in 1943, is one of the migrants from Wushan in Gusong Village. He had been tirelessly fighting against the local authority for the unpaid compensation and benefit to the migrants. Among many odd jobs, Xiao worked as a caretaker for a local family for their fishpond in exchange for temporary accommodation. - Gusong Village, Jingzhou, Hubei province, Aug 2011

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Xiao Zien, born in 1943, is one of the migrants from Wushan in Gusong Village. He had been tirelessly fighting against the local authority for the unpaid compensation and benefit to the migrants. Among many odd jobs, Xiao worked as a caretaker for a local family for their fishpond in exchange for temporary accommodation. - Gusong Village, Jingzhou, Hubei province, Aug 2011

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Mr. Xiao Zien migrated to Gusong Village from Wushan. As the local authorities failed to pay the promised compensation nor housing, Mr Xiao refused to pay for the housing out of his own pocket. Yet, he didn’t remain silenced. He had been an advocate for his own and other migrants’ rights. - Gusong Village, Jingzhou, Hubei Province, China, August 2011

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Mr. Xiao Zien was walking back to a warehouse where he temporarily resided at the time. -Gusong Village, Jingzhou, Hubei Province, August 2011

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Mr. Liang Jinqun, one of the migrants from Wushan, broke his leg as he was working as a night shift porter on a construction site in Jingzhou. The villagers came to his home to greet him. - Gusong Village, Jingzhou, Hubei province, Aug 2011

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Mr. Xiao Zien migrated to Gusong Village from Wushan. As the local authorities failed to pay the promised compensation nor housing, Mr Xiao refused to pay for the housing out of his own pocket. Yet, he didn’t remain silenced. He had been an advocate for his own and other migrants’ rights. - Gusong Village, Jingzhou, Hubei Province, China, August 2011

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Mr. Zhu’s 3 years old son in his granduncle Mr. Liang Jinqun’s home. -Gusong Village, Jingzhou, Hubei Province, August 2011

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Mr. Xiao Zien migrated to Gusong Village from Wushan. As the local authorities failed to pay the promised compensation as well as housing, Mr Xiao refused to pay for the housing out of his own pocket as well as to be silenced. He had been an advocate for his own and other migrants’ rights. - Gusong Village, Jingzhou, Hubei Province, China, August 2011

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Mr. Liang Jinqun, one of the migrants from Wushan, broke his leg as he was working as a night shift porter on a construction site in Jingzhou. The villagers came to his home to greet him. Mr. Xiao Zien (on the right in blue coat) had been advocating for his and other villagers’ rights. He seemed not into the lunch but was eager to tell the stories of the migrants - Gusong Village, Jingzhou, Hubei province, Aug 2011

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Part of the Three Gorges Dam project was still under construction by 2011 as the project started in 1993. In 2020, the completion of the project was officially announced. -Yichang, Hubei Province, China, August 2011

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Ms. Zhu was one of the villagers from Wushan. From 2001 to 2008 she worked in the factories in Guangdong Province and moved back to Gusong Village after her son was born. Gusong, Jingzhou, Hubei Province, China, August 2011

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The kids gathered in the room that was shared by Mr. Liang’s 3 sons and 1 daughter. - Gusong Village, Jingzhou, Hubei province, August 2011

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The Three Gorges Dam - Yichang, Hubei Province, China, August 2011

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Mr. Liang Jinqun, one of the migrants from Wushan, broke his leg as he was working as a night shift porter on a construction site in Jingzhou. The villagers came to his home to greet him. - Gusong Village, Jingzhou, Hubei province, Aug 2011

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Mr. Xiao and Ms. Zhu were showing the another unpaid IOU note from the village government. - Gusong Village, Jingzhou, Hubei Province, August 2011

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Mr. Xiao Zien migrated to Gusong Village from Wushan. As the local authorities failed to pay the promised compensation nor housing, Mr Xiao refused to pay for the housing out of his own pocket. Furthermore, he didn’t remain silence. He had been an advocate for his own and other migrants’ rights. He was showing an unpaid IOU note of RMB 1,000 yuan from the village authority. The note was dated in 2003. - Gusong Village, Jingzhou, Hubei Province, China, August 2011

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The kids gathered in the room that was shared by Mr. Liang’s 3 sons and 1 daughter. - Gusong Village, Jingzhou, Hubei province, Aug 2011

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The kids gathered in the room that was shared by Mr. Liang’s 3 sons and 1 daughter. - Gusong Village, Jingzhou, Hubei province, August 2011

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As the villagers from Wushan gathered at Mr. Liang Jinqun’s home, it was the occasion to play Majiang together. - Gusong Village, Jingzhou, Hubei Province, August 2011

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The backyard of Mr. Liang Jinqun’s home in Gusong Village. - Gusong Village, Jingzhou, Hubei Province, August 2011

Chapter 5 – Chongqing 重庆

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Mr. He Guizhen. - Chongqing, China, November 2012

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Mr. He Guizhen sticked out from the bus’ window to say bye-bye. - Chongqing, China, November 2012

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The bus to Nanyang, Henan province on which Mr. He Guizhen and his Laoxiang boarded pulled out from the garage, - Chongqing, China, November 2012

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Mr He Guizhen was moving along with the crowd to check in and board the bus. - Chongqing, Chine, November 2012

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Mr. He Guizhang and his Laoxiang were waiting for the bus to go to Henan. - Chongqing, China, November 2012

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Mr. He Guizhen was leaving for Nanyang, Henan province to buy antiques. A bottle of hard liquor and toothbrush are his usual carry-on and only luggage. - Chongqing, China, November 2012

201211-L1029102

Mr. He Guizhen was dragging his entire inventory of antiques that were packed in the cardboard box across the street. - Chongqing, China, November 2012

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The market in which Mr. He Guizhen was trading the antiques was located in Chaotianmen in downtown Chongqing. Chaotianmen had fame as the cluster of small and informal business. - Chongqing, China, November 2012

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Mr. He Guizhen and his Laoxiang (fellow villagers) were gathering the belongs and discussing how to meet at the bus station later for the trip to Henan. - Chongqing, China, November 2012

201211-L1029069

The market in which Mr. He Guizhen was trading the antiques was located in Chaotianmen in downtown Chongqing. Chaotianmen had fame as the cluster of small and informal business. - Chongqing, China, November 2012

201211-L1029065

Mr. He Guizhen and his Laoxiang (fellow villagers) were gathering the belongs and discussing how to meet at the bus station later for the trip to Henan. - Chongqing, China, November 2012

201211-L1029048

Mr. He Guizhen was leaving the market a bit early on that particular Sunday as he and his Laoxiang would need to catch a bus to Henan to buy more antiques. - Chongqing, China, November 2012

201211-L1029008

Mr. He Guizhen was sharing lunch with his Laoxiang (fellow villagers). The lunch time was one of the most relaxing time for him and his friends. - Chongqing, China, November 2012

201211-L1029003

Mr. He Guizhen was sharing lunch with his Laoxiang (fellow villagers). The lunch time was one of the most relaxing time for him and his friends. - Chongqing, China, November 2012

201211-L1028995

Mr. He Guizhen was chatting with his Laoxiang (fellow villagers) during the lunch. The lunch time was one of the most relaxing time for him and his friends. - Chongqing, China, November 2012

201211-L1028991

Mr. He Guizhen was chatting with his Laoxiang (fellow villagers) during the lunch. The lunch time was one of the most relaxing time for him and his friends. - Chongqing, China, November 2012

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Setting up the lunch dishes on the small table to share with other Mr. He Guizhen’s Laoxiang in the market. - Chongqing, China, November 2012

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The temporary seating for lunch outside of the market. - Chongqing, China, November 2012

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The giant menu was common for the food vendors that usually set the seating on the sidewalks and alleys. - Chongqing, China, November 2012

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The food vendor was selling the precooked lunch outside of the market where Mr. He Guizhen and his Laoxiang traded antiques. - Chongqing, China, November 2012

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The market outside of the market. The vendors set up informal market selling food, daily necessities, even cheaper antiques. - Chongqing, China, November 2012

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In the residential compound, many ground floor residents turned their apartment to a convenient store. - Chongqing, China, November 2012

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Mr. He Guichun is Mr. He Guizhen’s cousin. - Chongqing, China, November 2012

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The home of Mr. He Guichun (Mr. He Guizhen’s cousin) ’s in Chongqing. - Chongqing, China, November 2012

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The hotpot restaurant where Mr. He Guizhen and I had dinner. It was very crowded at night. People were waiting to be seated. -Chongqing, China, November 2012

201211-L1028570

In Chongqing, the room that Mr. He Guizhen rented was converted from a garage with no window. The ground floor apartment was shared by 4 families who were all from Wushan. - Chongqing, China, November 2012

201211-L1028555

In Chongqing, the room that Mr. He Guizhen rented was converted from a garage with no window. The ground floor apartment was shared by 4 families who were all from Wushan. - Chongqing, Nov 2012- Chongqing, China, November 2012

201211-L1028551

In Chongqing, the room that Mr. He Guizhen rented was converted from a garage with no window. The ground floor apartment was shared by 4 families who were all from Wushan. - Chongqing, Nov 2012- Chongqing, China, November 2012

201211-L1028547

In Chongqing, the room that Mr. He Guizhen rented was converted from a garage with no window. The ground floor apartment was shared by 4 families who were all from Wushan. - Chongqing, Nov 2012- Chongqing, China, November 2012

201211-L1028545

In Chongqing, the room that Mr. He Guizhen rented was converted from a garage with no window. The ground floor apartment was shared by 4 families who were all from Wushan. - Chongqing, Nov 2012- Chongqing, China, November 2012

201211-L1028540

Mr. He Guizhen was walking to a room that he rented in a residential compound. - Chongqing, China, November 2012

201211-L1028538

Mr. He Guizhen was walking to a room that he rented in a residential compound. - Chongqing, China, November 2012

201211-L1028522

In 2011, the smart phone wasn’t extremely popular in China yet due to the affordability and the connectivity. However, cell phone had long been one of the most popular communication tools. The SMS card for cell phone wasn’t strictly restricted nor linked to the user’s real name or ID number. It was easy to obtain a new number and add more fund to the existing number. Before leaving for Henan, Mr. He Guizhen went to a cell phone store to add RMB 100 yuan to his phone account. - Chongqing, China, November 2012

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Bus crossing the Jialing River. Chongqing, China, November 2012

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As the market was located in the central district of Chongqing, to commute between Mr. He Guizhen’s home and the market involved bus ride. - Chongqing, China, November 2012

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Mr. He Guizhen was leaving the market. -Chongqing, China, November, 2012

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A fellow Laoxiang, Wushanner, was also trading antiques in the market. It is common to see such a binding for people doing the business together. - Chongqing, China, November 2012

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Mr. He Guizhen in the market. - Chongqing, China, November 2012

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After one day of trading, Mr. He Guizhen was leaving the market with the inventory of his antiques. - Chongqing, China, November 2012

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A potential buyer was examining the quality of the antique. - Chongqing, Ching, November 2012

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Almost entire of Mr. He Guizhen’s inventory of antiques could fit in the recycled cardboard box. -Chongqing, China, November 2012

201211-L1028385

Almost entire of Mr. He Guizhen’s inventory of antiques could fit in the recycled cardboard box. -Chongqing, China, November 2012

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It was very common for the vendors to have the entire family working in the market including the babies. The older sister was helping the parents to take care the baby sister. -Chongqing, China, November 2012

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The antiques that Mr. He Guizhen was trading normally included small and low value items such as the small jade bowls, stamps, necklace, etc. - Chongqing, China, November 2012

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In September 2011, He Guizhen left his daughter and wife behind in Wushan and joined a group of Wushanners to go and sell antiques on a flea market in Chongqing. - Chongqing, China, November 2012

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Mr. He Guizhen was renting a spot on a open floor area over the weekends to trade the antiques. - Chongqing, China, November 2012

201211-L1028322

Mr. He Guizhen was renting a spot on a open floor area over the weekends to trade the antiques. - Chongqing, China, November 2012

201211-L1028301

The antiques that Mr. He Guizhen was trading normally included small and low value items such as the small jade bowls, stamps, necklace, etc. - Chongqing, China, November 2012

201211-L1028291

It was very common for the vendors to have the entire family working in the market including the babies. -Chongqing, China, November 2012

201211-L1028285

In September 2011, Mr. He Guizhen moved to Chongqing with a few Laoxiao (fellow villagers) to look for work and business opportunities. By Nov 2011 when I revisited him, He was trading antiques in a market in Chongqing. - Chongqing, China, Nov 2012