On November 8, a photography exhibition themed “Harmony Between Humans and Nature” was held at the Qiantang River Basin Center (Haining Management Station) in Zhejiang Province. Through the language of photography, the exhibition showcases the beauty of ecological concepts and artistic expression, presenting to the world China’s achievements and harmonious vision in building an ecological civilization.
The photography exhibition is hosted by the All-Media and International Communication Center of Global People magazine under People’s Daily, organized by Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University and the Zhejiang Society of Qiantang Bore, and co-organized by the Zhejiang Qiantang River Basin Center (Zhejiang Qiantang River Administration) and the Zhejiang Institute of Hydraulic Estuary (Zhejiang Institute of Marine Planning and Design). Using photography as a medium, the exhibition vividly captures moments of harmony between humans and nature, transforming the concept of green development into a tangible visual narrative that resonates with viewers.
Featuring more than 30 works by photographers from China and abroad, the exhibition is divided into five thematic sections: “The Beauty of China,” “The Beauty of Farmers,” “The Beauty of Engineering,” “The Beauty of Light and Shadow,” and “The Qiantang Tidal Bore and the Ancient Seawall.” Together, these works create an immersive visual experience. Artists including Chinese photographers Lei Sheng, Pang Xiaowei, and Wang Jianbo, as well as Greek photographer George Doulas, portray through their unique perspectives the grandeur of modern hydraulic projects and the magnificent tides of the Qiantang River, telling touching stories of harmony and co-development between humanity and nature.
As a representative of the photographers, Wang Jianbo, column photojournalist of Global People magazine under People’s Daily, explained that the exhibition aims to create an “immersive experience space where visitors can both appreciate the beauty of nature and engage in ecological reflection.” It seeks to promote the concept of “harmony between humans and nature” through photography, fostering cross-cultural and cross-regional communication. The thematic section “The Qiantang Tidal Bore and the Ancient Seawall,” which combines historical heritage with modern ecological wisdom, has become one of the highlights of the exhibition.
Professor Bao Qinxing of Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University, drawing on over a decade of research conducted by his team, offered an in-depth interpretation of the natural and cultural heritage value of the Qiantang River tidal bore. He vividly elaborated on how, throughout history, human activities have continuously interacted and coexisted with the tides of the Qiantang River, forming a unique cultural landscape of symbiosis.
Staff members from the Zhejiang Qiantang River Basin Center and the Zhejiang Society of Qiantang Bore provided a detailed introduction to the history of seawall construction along the Qiantang River — from the first embankments built during the Eastern Han Dynasty, to the “Hanhai Seawall” constructed by Qian Liu, King of Wuyue, during the Five Dynasties, to the Fish-Scale Stone Seawall that marked the peak of hydraulic engineering during the Ming and Qing dynasties, and finally to the modern Anlan Seawall Project. This evolution showcases the wisdom of the Chinese people in living in harmony with tidal forces and in developing disaster prevention and mitigation strategies.
The staff also introduced recent progress in tidal bore scientific research, including the use of integrated monitoring systems across water, land, and air to identify nine types of tidal patterns, providing a scientific basis for the protection and sustainable use of the Qiantang Tidal Bore. In addition, the audience learned about the progress of the “Qiantang River Seawall and Tidal Culture Landscape” project, which has been on the Tentative List of World Cultural Heritage Sites in China since 2019, further deepening their understanding of its outstanding heritage value.
The exhibition opening ceremony attracted more than 100 participants, including leaders and experts from the Zhejiang Qiantang River Basin Center, the Zhejiang Society of Qiantang Bore, and other related institutions, as well as international students from over ten countries—including France, Russia, Serbia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and Mongolia—who study at Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University. During the exhibition, the international students engaged in lively discussions about the works, sharing their reflections. They expressed that through these images, they not only experienced Zhejiang’s “spirit of standing at the forefront of the tide” and the Oriental wisdom of “l(fā)iving in symbiosis with the tide,” but also gained a deeper appreciation for the importance of harmony between humanity and nature.
After viewing the exhibition, participants visited the banks of the Qiantang River to witness the spectacular surging tides firsthand. Many international students later shared their experiences through photos and videos on social media platforms, helping to spread the majestic beauty of the Qiantang tides and China’s ecological vision to a wider global audience.
The “Harmony Between Humans and Nature” photography exhibition is not only a showcase of art but also a practice of ecological and cultural communication. Using imagery as a bridge, the event highlights China’s achievements in ecological conservation and green development, while enhancing the international influence of the Qiantang River’s tidal culture.
Editor:Cai Xiaohui
