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With U.S. delegation ending China trip, a quick look at the country’s past

The odds and ends that I had to chase for the past few days – basic stuff, really – have kept me busy. So, that’s why, in blog terms, I’ve asked for a few days whether or not it’s Friday. I’ll be right in a few days.

Of course, the news continues.

The high-level U.S. delegation that visited Beijing this week was apparently so large with more than 200 people that 48 vehicles – presumably, black, shiny and of the sedan or SUV type – were needed to accommodate members for the strategic and economic dialogue.

The meetings touched upon currency, the global economy and North Korea. They ended Tuesday with, as The New York Times reported, little progress.

But modern times. Modern talks, including challenges for the United States.

Which prompted me to ask: What about China’s recent past?

High-level talks with Chinese leaders who support a “soft” power approach to world affairs are part of the picture as the country plays a greater international role. That “soft” power, as I’m sure foreign government and business leaders have discovered, really can be wrapped in strong, tough packaging.

It is easy so say many things about China these days. But one thing which I think many will agree upon: A tremendous wave of change has washed over the country.

That’s why I like scaling back the scope to a few decades or so.

Months ago, my wife and I were scanning some Chinese websites, when these images – some of which you see here – popped up on tianya.cn.

Given that the images were made from the 1950s to the 1970s – a period which covered China’s tumultuous Cultural Revolution – it is safe to presume that government-backed photographers had a hand in presenting what you see.

Though many had no choice but to live on government communes during this experiment, it certainly was not a romantic period for many people.

That being said, the black-and-white images are stark, capturing moments in time that show us in the 21st century what people did while a camera was present. You’ll notice that many photographed wore big smiles just at the right moment when the shutter clicked.

It seems to me that this is the life that Chinese leader Mao Zedong envisioned for his people – and a reflection other than smiling people watching an arm-wrestling contest was not something he would have welcomed.

These images also help explain, to an extent, China’s drive for modernization and why so many in that country are striving to get what they can, in terms of material goods and opportunities.

Economic disparities – not only on an international level but also among citizens in a nation – do need to be addressed. An imbalance can lead to more tension. And “rebalancing” is a word that some U.S. officials used openly during this visit to China.

For me, the glimpse into the past is what makes the images so fascinating. I’m sure that if I track down people who lived through this era, of life on a Chinese commune, they might say that it differed from what the photographs depict.

Of course, I have the luxury of typing these words during a different era and from the comfort of a house.

And don’t get me wrong: There is much luxury in China these days. Again, a sharp contrast to the images you see here.

I would acknowledge the images’ photo source or which photographer made them. But that tianya.cn post does not include that information.

If you like images of China, here are some noteworthy pictures from photographer Lu Guang. As you might have seen last year, I’ve always liked old-style photographs from China.