In the 21st century, the art of watercolour painting in China entered a new historical phase, marked by the work of many talented artists, among whom the figure of Zhou Gang stands out – a artist who has not yet attracted the attention of Russian scholars. The article, relying on historical-cultural, iconological, and formal-stylistic methods, analyses paintings from the series “Miner Portraits”, in which the ideological and creative principles of the Chinese master are most fully embodied. The study of his works allows for a better understanding of the processes taking place in China’s contemporary art scene and helps trace the development of watercolor painting in the context of the globalization of art. It is shown that the talented artist and educator Zhou Gang made a significant contribution to the reform of watercolour techniques. In his search for a personal style, he deeply reflected on the ways of expressing artistic individuality. His credo – “local realism” – has become the most important distinguishing feature of his work, where social themes occupy a leading place. Zhou Gang combines heterogeneous artistic elements and motifs, imbuing his works with his feelings and emotions: empathy and love for ordinary people, and a reverent attitude towards everyday life. His works are imbued with a vivid spirit of “neo-realism”, yet they are also marked by a synthesis of Western and national traditions in the formation of a distinctive creative style.