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Social change

Chinese society has undergone a transformation in recent years. More and more people are moving to the cities, giving up their traditional lifestyles. In many cities, skyscrapers dominate the skyline and Western brands fill smart new shopping centres. Take-up of mobile phones and computers has soared in recent years, and there are an estimated 90 million internet users, four times more than in 2000. But the modernisation of China also highlights a country of marked contrasts, with millions being left on the margins of the new prosperity.
Composite of pictures showing contrasting aspects of modern China - people using mobile phones and people begging on the streets
 

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