OPINION: ‘China has so many stories worth recording, which is why I want to stay’

"China in Photos" is a series featuring foreign photographers who have explored China through their lenses. With cameras and curiosity, they capture the country's landscapes and people, revealing a China that is raw, intimate and deeply human. Each interview offers a unique perspective on China's diversity. Join us as we see China through their eyes.

In the fifth article of this series, Global Times (GT) reporter Su Yaxuan interviewed French photographer Yann Layma (Layma). As a photographer who has spent 40 years capturing China, he considers the country one of his homes. He says there are so many stories worth recording, which is why he wants to stay in China.

GT: You once said that "meeting China was a surprise." Having lived in China for over four decades, how has your perception of the country changed over the years? You've also traveled extensively around the world - what made you ultimately decide to settle down in China?

Layma: In January 1985, I arrived in Beijing. At that time, China was poor. There were only bicycles on the streets, and you'd seldom see a car, however, there were so many things worth photographing. I felt I was beginning a long journey of capturing China through my photography. During the 1980s, my works gained recognition in magazines across Europe and the US, featuring images of Chinese families vacationing in Qingdao, people on trains. These experiences convinced me to make Beijing my long-term home. Then, I fell in love, and built a family. Now, every year we spend part of our time living in China and part of our time in France.

GT: Looking back over the past 40 years, what are some of the most unforgettable changes in China that you've captured through your lens? Could you share some of your more recent works? When you arrive in a new city in China, how do you get to know that city?

Layma: Compared to 1985, China today feels like another world. The pace of development has been incredible, especially since the early 1990s - truly spectacular. Many of my Chinese friends' lives have improved during this period. 

Take Beijing, for example. In 1985, Beijing had only a few subway lines. Today, it has over 1,000 kilometers of track covering the city and surrounding areas. The airport has transformed entirely as well; it's vast, modern and bustling now.

My photography has evolved alongside the country. In the 1980s, I focused on daily life for Western magazines, capturing ordinary moments on the streets, in homes and on trains. Today, I mainly photograph for books in China. I pay more attention to modern life - people at home, in restaurants, and at work. I visited Guilin in August to photograph both high-tech developments and the region's famous landscapes. 

When I arrive in a new city, I like to start with a morning walk. I often go to local parks, where people practice tai chi or exercise. I don't join in - I simply watch. But even observing is fascinating; the movements are graceful and almost theatrical, like a performance in everyday life.

GT: After traveling to many countries, now, when you pick up your camera, what kind of China do you most want to photograph? Are there places in China you've always wanted to shoot but haven't had the chance yet? Or places you've visited again and again because you love them so much? 

Layma: Today, I am most interested in photographing the modern life of China. I truly believe that China has already surpassed the West in many areas, and there is much that Western countries could learn from China's achievements. There are still parts of China I haven't explored much. For instance, I haven't traveled extensively in the Northeast China, and I'm waiting for the right opportunity - perhaps a new project or book - to visit and capture that region.

Among all the cities I love, Shanghai holds a unique place in my heart. I travel there often by high-speed train, which has inspired me to plan both a documentary and a series of photographic works focused on China's high-speed rail - a theme that fascinates me deeply, as it perfectly captures China's speed, modern life and remarkable success.

GT: You have photographed various ethnic minority groups in China over the years, including the Dong and Hani people. When you revisit these communities, what changes do you notice compared to the past? Which other ethnic groups have you photographed? What advice would you give to foreigners who want to understand the culture of China's ethnic minorities?

Layma: Yes, I have revisited several ethnic villages I photographed in earlier years. For example, when I returned to a Dong village in Guangxi, many of the most noticeable changes were in daily life: wooden houses had been replaced or rebuilt, and modern infrastructure - roads, cars, tap water, electricity and natural gas - had been introduced. People's lives have improved dramatically.

To truly understand China's ethnic minorities, foreigners need to open their eyes and hearts to the realities of China. Those who do this gain great satisfaction, while those who try to impose their own preconceptions misunderstand the country - and often feel jealous of China's achievements. My dream was always to make a portrait of China, including all its people.

GT: Why do you love China so deeply? You've also said that you hope to truly integrate into China - do you feel you have? Why is it important for you to integrate?

Layma: My mother once jokingly called me "a white-skinned Chinese," and I think there is some truth to that. I love China because it is here that I realized my lifelong dream. At 16, I wanted to dedicate my life to creating a portrait of China, and today I feel I have accomplished part of that.

I married a Chinese woman, live in Beijing, use WeChat Pay every day and often take the high-speed train to Shanghai. All of this makes me feel completely at ease. In that sense, yes - I have integrated.

Why is integration important to me? Because my dream is China.

GT: You've long used photography to share China's "beautiful stories" with the world, while Western media often focuses on negative narratives. In your view, what does your storytelling mean for the world? Do you feel that your work is helping more people understand and appreciate China?

Layma: Western media often wants to criticize China. But I want to show the beautiful side of China.

My photos are significant because they are unique - no other foreign photographer has spent 40 years capturing China from so many angles. I think I am the only one.

I believe my work allows people abroad to see a different side of China: not the negative portrayals, but the reality - modern life, development, families, daily routines and achievements.

Editor's note: The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of Sino-Carib News. We do not own any rights to this article. This is a Global Times publication.

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