THE chairman and co-founder of Chinese aviation and hospitality giant HNA Group has died in France at the age of 57, after falling off a wall while taking photographs in Provence.
Wang Jian had climbed onto a parapet for a snap in the village of Bonnieux when he lost his balance and fell backward onto rocks about 15m below, according to local police, who said rescue services could not revive him.
HNA Group employs more than 400,000 people worldwide, and has stakes in multiple global airlines including Virgin Australia as well as Chinese carriers Hong Kong Airlines, Beijing Capital, Hainan Airlines & Fuzhou Airlines.
Hospitality interests include the Radisson Hotel Group, while it recently sold a stake in Hilton.
Wang owned 15% of HNA, with a statement saying the board was “committed to the orderly continuity of the company’s business”.
Source: traveldaily