A LECTURE on photography and Chinese culture was held yesterday in the Whale Garden Club in Jingshan Villas at Shekou, attracting an audience of some 50 people, mainly expatriates.

　　The lecturer, Wu Dazhen, was a Chinese-born American who studied music in Rice University of Texas in the U.S. and then switched to photography.

　　His Chinese background led him to illustrate Chinese culture through camera lens. Themes of his photos include traditional Chinese gardens and the life of minority nationalities.

　　He set up his own photo studio in Houston and has given exhibition in several U.S. cities including San Francisco, Memphis, Cleveland and Houston.

　　The lecture is one of a series of cultural activities planned by China Merchants Property Management (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd. (CMPMC), a property administration arm of the owner of the Jingshan Villas.

　　Yu Ming, senior property manager of Jingshan Villas Management Office, said the activities served to enrich foreigners’ understanding of Chinese culture and social activities.

　　The last activity organized by CMPMC was an art exhibition held Aug. 28 and the next will be one related to pottery making.

　　The Jingshan Villas is a property of China Merchants Real Estate Co. Ltd. The 180 villas and 80 apartments are all rental accommodation. Most of the tenants are expatriates.