Eighteen photographers receive China's highest honor at 16th China Photography Festival

The 16th China Photography Festival opened on Thursday in Sanmenxia, Henan province, with 18 photographers receiving the China Photography Golden Statue Award, the nation's top individual honor for the photographic arts.

Awards were handed out in three divisions: documentary, artistic, and commercial photography. Nine photographers won for documentary work, eight took prizes in the artistic category, and one earned the commercial award.

Pan Songgang, a documentary award‑winner, said: "In my photos, I do not set out to create fancy effects. I simply capture real‑life moments as they happen." He looks for moving moments in everyday life, turning ordinary people's hard work, persistence, and joy into images. After decades of shooting, he maintains that respect for life is what makes documentary photography last.

"Winning the 16th China Photography Golden Statue Award is a great honor, and even more, a heavy responsibility pushing me forward," said Ba Yier, another recipient of the award.

The award‑winning photographers took part in the "Golden Statue Face‑to‑Face" academic program on Thursday evening, where they shared their experience with peers.