Jin Feibao, a collector of old photos in Kunming, shows two recopied photos. The photo shows Joseph Harvey Mathias who used to be a Flying Tiger soldier and a local Chinese. [Provided to InKunming]

James I Mathias, son of an American soldier who used to be a Flying Tiger, is on the trip of looking for his late father's best Chinese friend in Kunming.

He took his father's photo taken in 1945 and said the friend of his father ran a restaurant near the Wujiaba Airport.

The Flying Tiger soldier Joseph Harvey Mathias was in China, fighting against Japanese during World War II. He recorded Kunming with some luxurious black and white film at that time. These photos have shown the culture, sceneries and people at that time as well as the tough time they experienced together. As the photographic equipments were short at that time, these photos were greatly cherished. Joseph returned to the States after the victory of the war, however, he cherished his memory in Kunming and missed his best Chinese friend.

Unfortunately, Joseph passed away in 1991 when his returning dream has not been realized. James found these photos when he sorted his father's finishing remains. A Chinese man was found on a few photos. His father also took some photos with the man. "The price of the film was expensive at that time. My father took a few photos for the man, which meant they were good buddies, " said James. In his heart, China is a civilized oriental ancient country depicted in his father's letters to his mother. His father's photos made James feel intrigued by the city called Kunming.

A friend introduced James to Jin Feibao, a Kunming local who collected old photos of Kunming. He flied to Kunming from Indiana in the USA on June 21 and paid a special visit to Jin, in the hope of finding Joseph's friend who ran a restaurant near the airport in 1945.

If you know the man on the photo or have seen him before, please call at 5353000.

The recopied photo shows the Jinma Memorial Archway. It was taken by Joseph Harvey Mathias who used to be a Flying Tiger soldier. [Provided to InKunming]

The recopied photo shows the scenery of Kunming. It was taken by Joseph Harvey Mathias who used to be a Flying Tiger soldier. [Provided to InKunming]

(Editors:Lynn,Minnie Mao)

Click here to view Chinese report.