China Revealed, A Portrait of the Rising Dragon

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It is a mistake to deny one's homeland, warns the Dalai Lama to Basil Pao. After leaving China at the age of 18, shaped by the unrest in Tiananmen, Pao feels the influence of these words. He deepens his knowledge of language, literature, and history, traveling for over a year through all provinces of China—from Inner Mongolia to Hong Kong, from Shanghai to the Tibetan Plateau. Through impressive imagery, he documents the diversity of China: magnificent landscapes, ambitious construction projects, weathered farmers, cultural treasures, vibrant fishing scenes along the Yangtze, state monuments, and bustling street kitchens. Pao intertwines these visual impressions with his remarkable storytelling talent, humorously recounting challenges with his two drivers, Kami and Kazi, and chaotic experiences during a sandstorm at the Jade Gate. This work is a unique masterpiece that not only portrays the provinces of China but also serves as a personal and contemporary document about the Middle Kingdom, a tribute to a country in transformation, poised for a significant public emergence that will leave us in awe.