The Shanghai maglev train [PHOTO BY ZHENG XIANZHANG FOR CHINA DAILY]

During this period, he also managed to earn a bachelor's degree in Chinese culture at East China Normal University in Shanghai.

In 1989, Zheng was presented with the opportunity to go to Japan to study for a master's degree in Chinese and Japanese culture at Tokyo University of the Arts. As a kind friend was willing to cover his tuition fees, all Zheng had to worry about was saving enough money for his daily expenses and photography needs.

"I took on many part-time jobs in order to buy a set of the most advanced Nikon camera and lenses. People who had 10,000 yuan in the 1980s would be considered millionaires in present-day China. My camera equipment then cost around 35,000 yuan," he quips.

Having ready access to camera equipment helped his skills to grow quickly. Before long, Zheng was attending several photography activities and competitions with Japanese photographers. He excelled in human portraiture and stood out with his unique sense of aesthetics.