Who says Chinese photojournalism is in a sad state? Not us. And now we can prove it once and for all — just look at this year's winner of "China's Pulitzer Prize":
This unforgettable photograph of disgraced Communist Party princeling Bo Xilai in handcuffs just won the 24th National News Award.
"China's Pulitzer Prize," unlike the "actual Pulitzer Prize," is appearently not judged on merit but determined numerically (the only reliable way) based on how many times it's used. "321 media used it," boasted the headline in Communist Party mouthpiece People's Daily.
The state-run paper then went on to explain that the image "gave the viewer a real view of the day of the trial" — the appeal to which was held in secret behind closed doors.
The recipient of the state-issued award, Xie Huanchi, is a photographer at similarly state-run Xinhua News Agency.
Standing at a decidedly above-average 184 centimeters tall, Bo is no shorty. Insecure as always, however, authorities were determined to make sure that the officers flanking him were taller still, and reportedly dressed up a local basketball player to play the part.
In case you're feeling irony-deficient today, this highly dignified photo of Xi Jinping holding an umbrella was also a winner:
No kidding.
Apparently this one was runner-up:
(Kidding.)
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