Dr. Andreas Kaufmann and Karin Kaufmann of Leica Camera AG join Tenniel Chu and Hainan government officials to unveil the Chinaflug photography exhibition at the Mission Hills Haikou Resort in Hainan. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Mission Hills Group recently opened its "Chinaflug" photography exhibition at the luxury Mission Hills Haikou Resort on the tropical Chinese island of Hainan.
The opening ceremony was attended by Dr Andreas Kaufmann, chairman of the Supervisory Board of Leica Camera AG and owner of the Ernst Leitz Archiv- und Museums gemeinnützige GmbH; Karin Kaufmann, art director of Leica Gallery International and chairwoman of the Ernst Leitz Archiv- und Museums gemeinnützige GmbH; Tenniel Chu, Mission Hills Group vice-chairman; and Cao Yuanxin, director of the Department of Culture, Radio, Television, Publication and Sports of Hainan Province.
The Chinaflug (meaning China Flight) exhibition will run for 45 days at Mission Hills Centreville in Haikou. Entry will be free, in celebration of the 30th anniversary of Hainan's gaining status as a province.
On display are several precious and historical photos which have remained unseen to the world for many years. These photographs record incredible images of old China through the power of aerial photography.
Visitors will experience a special exhibition encapsulating the past and blazing a new trail towards a brighter future in photography. They will witness a side to China not seen before as China's beauty and diversity are displayed for all to see.
In the mid-1930s, a celebrated German aviator called Wulf-Diether Graf zu Castell-Rüdenhausen flew over China with his Leica camera, recording stunning landscapes, natural features and historical monuments. For more than 80 years his photos remained undiscovered and unseen – until now.
Castell has become a legend, not just because of his aerial photography but also because of the precious images he captured. With his Leica camera he was able to capture China through a tumultuous time. He flew over cities, countryside, rolling hills, ports and residential areas including previously undocumented riverbeds and farmlands. He was able to encapsulate the spirit of the time with great style and panache and will be remembered as an amazing pioneer both as an aviator and a photographer.
Representatives from Leica Camera AG, Mission Hills Group and the Hainan government at the "Chinaflug" opening ceremony [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
"We are honored to team up with Mission Hills – like Leica, a family-owned business and a pioneer in its field – to bring these significant photos of China to the Chinese public," said Andreas Kaufmann.
"Chinaflug is an example of how Leica captured the past one hundred years of human history. It is also a showcase of the long friendship built between Germany and China," added Karin Kaufmann.
"Mission Hills Haikou, the most visited tourist attraction in Hainan, is delighted to partner with Leica, with more than 100 years of history, to create yet another first for China and for the world," said Chu. "As China's international tourism island, it is befitting that Hainan should be the location to unveil these remarkable aerial photos of China that have remained a secret for so long. It is our gift to the province and its people to celebrate Hainan's 30th anniversary!"
Cao commented, "Visitors to Hainan continue to grow and the province received more than 67.45 million tourists in 2017, up 12.2 percent year-on-year, contributing 81 billion yuan ($12.9 billion) in revenue. Mission Hills has been at the forefront of tourism in Haikou for close to a decade and the Chinaflug exhibition will be another hugely popular attraction for visitors to Hainan."
Some photos displayed at the "Chinaflug" photography exhibition [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Haikou 
Sanya 
Sansha 
