Monique Knapen
As the Netherlands China Association, we obviously cannot let the anniversary of the People’s Republic of China go by unnoticed. On October 3, we and others organized a festive gathering in Zwolle, the Netherlands (see VNC news) and in this magazine, too, we want to pay attention to this special fact in a special way.
On Oct. 1, 2024, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) celebrated its 75th anniversary. During this period, China has evolved from an economically backward, war-torn country into a world power with impressive economic growth and geopolitical influence. The history of the PRC has been marked by profound events that have not only shaped the country itself, but also significantly changed international relations.
We as VNC in China Now and currently in China NU+ have always sought nuanced information in order to provide the most complete insight possible. The existence of our association is due to the People’s Republic of China and we are now approaching our 50th anniversary (in 2027). In connection with this, Jaap Post rereads all volumes of China Nu and treats us to a five-year summary in each issue, in this issue he reports on the years 1986-1990.
At the time, we started as an expression of support for the new state, but gradually became more critical and neutral. We still stand for connection between our countries and its inhabitants: What binds us, how can we work together, because that is the best route for the future. If possible focused on benefit for both parties.Sometimes we cannot, but very often we can.
Our way of celebrating China’s 75th anniversary is through the publication of a wonderful compilation of Vincent Mentzel’s photographs taken in China. Many thanks to Vincent, who, by the way, has previously published in China Now. We welcome his current contribution to this issue.
Vincent Mentzel is one of the best-known Dutch photojournalists and was for a long time a determining figure in NRC Handelsblad. Since the 1970s he has taken many photographs of politicians, as well as of the Royal Family and other heads of state.
Vincent has received many awards for his work, including the Silver Camera from the Dutch Association of Photojournalists (NVF) and the World Press Photo.
His oeuvre has been transferred to the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam. As of 2011, the Rijksmuseum owns more than 2,800 historic photographs by Mentzel (1945) from 1965 – 2010. The Atlas Van Stolk in Rotterdam owns nearly 1,200 of his photographs. The Nederlands Fotomuseum manages the negative and slide archive of Vincent Mentzel. The Beeldunie represents Mentzel’s work.
