China in their hands

Alt-rock act New Pants pose in a Beijing lingerie store. The band sold 100,000 copies of their debut album in China Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian

Bian Yuan of Joyside (right) is considered 'China's Jim Morrison'. He strikes a pose here with bass player Liu Hac Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian

Opera singer Dai Yuqiang in front of the National Centre for Performing Arts in Beijing Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian

Li Furong is one of a supposed 10 million violin students in China. Watch a video about her life Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian

Wu Na plays the guqin, a seven-string zither once favoured by Confucius Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian

Zhao Cong, pictured near Beijing's Drum Tower, is a pipa (lute) player. Watch a demonstration Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian