"Solidified Memories" (by Boris Austin)

As a group of young boys race through the streets, time for this historic neighborhood and its community may be running out. Among the many stories are plans for building apartment blocks and business parks and even the idea that the old town will be saved and become a movie park for film makers. With the planned demolition delayed and mounting rumors over its redevelopment, the fate of the old town lies truly unknown.

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 06:24:13 +0000

As a group of young boys race through the streets, time for this historic neighborhood and its community may be running out. Among the many stories are plans for building apartment blocks and business parks and even the idea that the old town will be saved and become a movie park for film makers. With the planned demolition delayed and mounting rumors over its redevelopment, the fate of the old town lies truly unknown.
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A brand new building containing luxury apartments towers over the edge of the old town.

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 06:25:20 +0000

A brand new building containing luxury apartments towers over the edge of the old town.
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Wu Xin Jin, 69, one of the areas original inhabitants explains the history. Behind him lies one of many burnt out and now derelict homes. "I remember the Japanese being here, we got along with them, the civilians at least - they were kind, unlike the soldiers.Ó

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 06:25:20 +0000

Wu Xin Jin, 69, one of the areas original inhabitants explains the history. Behind him lies one of many burnt out and now derelict homes. "I remember the Japanese being here, we got along with them, the civilians at least - they were kind, unlike the soldiers.Ó
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Zhang Zhengfa sits on the bed of his home which is also the local shop. In a living space of approximately 4 square meters he provides a telephone and sells cigarettes & confectionary through a small hatch to the local community.

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 06:51:23 +0000

Zhang Zhengfa sits on the bed of his home which is also the local shop. In a living space of approximately 4 square meters he provides a telephone and sells cigarettes & confectionary through a small hatch to the local community.
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Zhang Wan Yu sings a song surrounded by household waste which has been dumped on people's rooftops outside her home. Among a global call for China to pay attention to its environmental policies, it is people such as Wan Yu's parents who's work is to recycle household rubbish.

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 06:51:35 +0000

Zhang Wan Yu sings a song surrounded by household waste which has been dumped on people's rooftops outside her home. Among a global call for China to pay attention to its environmental policies, it is people such as Wan Yu's parents who's work is to recycle household rubbish.
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Guo Chang Jiang (centre) and his biker friends pass the time whilst waiting for fares. The four-strong team use their motorbikes as a cheap taxi service for the locals. Although they are unlicensed and must keep an eye out for the police, on a good day can earn over 50 yuan ( £3 ).

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 06:51:35 +0000

Guo Chang Jiang (centre) and his biker friends pass the time whilst waiting for fares. The four-strong team use their motorbikes as a cheap taxi service for the locals. Although they are unlicensed and must keep an eye out for the police, on a good day can earn over 50 yuan ( £3 ).
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A boy eats Chinese dumplings as 104 year old Gu Yue Wu smokes a cigarette in the noodle shop owned by his granddaughter, who stands behind him. ÒThey say the whole neighborhood will be demolished after the winter" says owner Gu Ai Zhen, "but theyÕve been saying that every year for the last ten years...it's too bad these old houses are disappearing but then again what does it matter what I say, if the government decides something then thatÕs whatÕs going to happen"

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 06:51:37 +0000

A boy eats Chinese dumplings as 104 year old Gu Yue Wu smokes a cigarette in the noodle shop owned by his granddaughter, who stands behind him. ÒThey say the whole neighborhood will be demolished after the winter" says owner Gu Ai Zhen, "but theyÕve been saying that every year for the last ten years...it's too bad these old houses are disappearing but then again what does it matter what I say, if the government decides something then thatÕs whatÕs going to happen"
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Lian Ming Wu , the boss of the noodle shop jokes with his customers as he prepares their food. A large bowl of dumplings will cost them 4 yuan and beef with noodles 6 ( £0.35 ).

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 06:51:39 +0000

Lian Ming Wu , the boss of the noodle shop jokes with his customers as he prepares their food. A large bowl of dumplings will cost them 4 yuan and beef with noodles 6 ( £0.35 ).
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Zhang Yang points a toy gun as families gather on the street. Many of the local children, influenced by China's modern TV culture, like to act street wise. However in reality the tight-knit community makes the old town a relatively safe place.

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 06:51:44 +0000

Zhang Yang points a toy gun as families gather on the street. Many of the local children, influenced by China's modern TV culture, like to act street wise. However in reality the tight-knit community makes the old town a relatively safe place.
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Zhang Ao peers through the door of his living space. After the local fires people have become increasingly wary and are on the look out for any strangers. The fires were all started in the same manner by flammable liquid and happened within three days of each other, creating a distinctly fearful atmosphere in the community. A notice posted on signposts read "These fires are happening for no reason, do not panic" the entire area was covered by undercover pol_ice, who after several days announced that they had caught the man responsible claiming that his actions were a statement against the govern_ment.

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 06:51:49 +0000

Zhang Ao peers through the door of his living space. After the local fires people have become increasingly wary and are on the look out for any strangers. The fires were all started in the same manner by flammable liquid and happened within three days of each other, creating a distinctly fearful atmosphere in the community. A notice posted on signposts read "These fires are happening for no reason, do not panic" the entire area was covered by undercover pol_ice, who after several days announced that they had caught the man responsible claiming that his actions were a statement against the govern_ment.
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Xu Jia Jin looks shyly away from camera. At first Jin felt a little uncomfortable showing us his living space. Having lived locally for over 30 years, Jin told us of much harder times during China's cultural revolution and remembers when Òthere were no leaves on the trees outsideÓ because people had eaten them to stay alive.

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 06:51:49 +0000

Xu Jia Jin looks shyly away from camera. At first Jin felt a little uncomfortable showing us his living space. Having lived locally for over 30 years, Jin told us of much harder times during China's cultural revolution and remembers when Òthere were no leaves on the trees outsideÓ because people had eaten them to stay alive.
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Li Siu Ming , 46, from Shandong works as a Òphysical healerÓ. Ming often travels to other provinces in search of work.

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 06:51:49 +0000

Li Siu Ming , 46, from Shandong works as a Òphysical healerÓ. Ming often travels to other provinces in search of work.
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Yan Tao Hua , 33, with her daughter Yang Xi pictured outside their home, they are originally from Henan. Her husband earns 1000 per month unloading vegetables in the market.

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 06:51:59 +0000

Yan Tao Hua , 33, with her daughter Yang Xi pictured outside their home, they are originally from Henan. Her husband earns 1000 per month unloading vegetables in the market.
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Guo Jin Yu, 73, from Dalian has lived in the old town for over 30 years. Jin Yu spends her days making flowers and sculptures from unwanted rubbish. She says she has mixed feelings about the demolition. "I'm not sure, maybe its a good thing if they demolish this area, some of these bricks are becoming fragile and dangerous"

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 06:52:02 +0000

Guo Jin Yu, 73, from Dalian has lived in the old town for over 30 years. Jin Yu spends her days making flowers and sculptures from unwanted rubbish. She says she has mixed feelings about the demolition. "I'm not sure, maybe its a good thing if they demolish this area, some of these bricks are becoming fragile and dangerous"
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Ai Tong Ming, 50, pictured carrying a bowl of meat to the market has lived in the old town for 8 monthes, he is originally from Chaoyang Laoning.

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 06:52:04 +0000

Ai Tong Ming, 50, pictured carrying a bowl of meat to the market has lived in the old town for 8 monthes, he is originally from Chaoyang Laoning.
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Wu Xia, 19 is from Dalian and has an office job which earns around 1000 per month inputting data.

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 06:52:46 +0000

Wu Xia, 19 is from Dalian and has an office job which earns around 1000 per month inputting data.
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Lei Min, 13, and sister Gong Ling Ling 2, are from Sichuan. Photographed outside their home.

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 06:52:46 +0000

Lei Min, 13, and sister Gong Ling Ling 2, are from Sichuan. Photographed outside their home.
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Zhao Wenqi, 20, from Dalian outside her families home. Wenqi studies at university locally and is the only person we found in the area who speaks English . She told us her English name was ÒVickyÓ and spoke about western pop music. Òi dont really know much about the area, this house was left to us by my grandadÓ

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 06:51:15 +0000

Zhao Wenqi, 20, from Dalian outside her families home. Wenqi studies at university locally and is the only person we found in the area who speaks English . She told us her English name was ÒVickyÓ and spoke about western pop music. Òi dont really know much about the area, this house was left to us by my grandadÓ
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Xu Jia Jin, 72, from Dalian, has lived in old town 36 years and is now retired. Before he worked for a construction company for 24 years, they now pay him a 1000 yuan per month pension. Òim used to the situation here so i dont really want to move. if they start to demolish the area i will resist unless the government give me a new houseÓ

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 06:25:22 +0000

Xu Jia Jin, 72, from Dalian, has lived in old town 36 years and is now retired. Before he worked for a construction company for 24 years, they now pay him a 1000 yuan per month pension. Òim used to the situation here so i dont really want to move. if they start to demolish the area i will resist unless the government give me a new houseÓ
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Yang Xi, 3, from Henan

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 06:25:22 +0000

Yang Xi, 3, from Henan
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A grandmother and her daughter stand either side of a great generational divide in Chinas history. The buildings that surround them hold a form of "Solid Memory" which is threatened by their impending demolition. If the houses are destroyed, It is hoped these photographs can "Solidify" these memories once more so that they are preserved for the benefit of future generations. Thank you.

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 06:15:20 +0000

A grandmother and her daughter stand either side of a great generational divide in Chinas history. The buildings that surround them hold a form of "Solid Memory" which is threatened by their impending demolition. If the houses are destroyed, It is hoped these photographs can "Solidify" these memories once more so that they are preserved for the benefit of future generations. Thank you.
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