On this humble street corner, spokes and wire frames and conversation easily mix on a quiet afternoon in Yi Chang, China. ©Gerald Diamond All rights reserved

It is not unusual to see Chinese men with their shirts open, walking proudly, perhaps arrogantly, in the streets, despite the meanness of the surroundings. ©Gerald Diamond All rights reserved

These men are relaxing, watching the world pass by on one of Suzhou's many canals. Notice the rolled up pant leg. Men in China often roll up their pant legs or roll up their shirts from the waist to their underarms. This is how one manages when one cannot afford different clothing for different weather conditions. Suzhou, China (south of Shanghai). ©Gerald Diamond All rights reserved

In the town of Zhujiaojiao, with its interlaced canals, there was this tiny establishment, just a room opening onto the walkway, with a woman making this food for passersby. She took some cooked meat or fish, tied it up and then wrapped it tightly with a large green leaf. Finally she wound the whole thing with a piece of reed. She used her teeth as a third hand to enable her to tighten the package and tie it off. The results are piled in a plastic bucket on the floor to her left. ©Gerald Diamond All rights reserved

Jade Carver - China 2005 ©Gerald Diamond All rights reserved

Fire-breather - Xian, China ©Gerald Diamond All rights reserved

An attendant pruning a tree in the "Garden Of The Master Of The Nets" in Zhoujiaojiao, south of Shanghai, China. ©Gerald Diamond All rights reserved

Leading lady in the highly-stylized Beijing Opera - China ©Gerald Diamond All rights reserved

A craft worker engaged in the fine work of cloisonné, painting damp enamel powder in the grooves between copper filaments - Beijing, China ©Gerald Diamond All rights reserved

China's industriousness and determination shows even amongst humble market vendors in Shanghai ©Gerald Diamond All rights reserved

Patrolling the gaudy and expensive pedestrian mall of downtown Shanghai ©Gerald Diamond All rights reserved

Woman selling noodles of all kinds at a stall in a Xian market - China ©Gerald Diamond All rights reserved

Shanghai's modern streets take China to new places ©Gerald Diamond All rights reserved

China's new middle class - Here a small family enjoys the Bund overlooking the Pu River - Shanghai, China ©Gerald Diamond All rights reserved

A woman emerging from viewing the Royal Chamber in the Forbidden City - Beijing, China ©Gerald Diamond All rights reserved

In Huxian in Central China this old man seems to amuse villagers but is regarded disdainfully as the village eccentric. ©Gerald Diamond All rights reserved

Butcher in Shanghai fresh food market. ©Gerald Diamond All Rights Reserved

From bus to bus, a close-up of this young woman passing by - Shanghai, China ©Gerald Diamond All rights reserved

Young couple enjoying casual eateries in Yu Yuan Gardens, Shanghai, China ©Gerald Diamond All rights reserved

I was taking pictures through the window of my bus into the window of a passing bus. This young woman noticed me - Shanghai, China ©Gerald Diamond All rights reserved