Also, ask yourself, why are they still operating a 747 classic freighter when most of their competition is now using 777, -400, 747-8 aircraft now. A lot can be told about a company before you even step on their soil.
Classic 747's are still turning a tidy profit and doing a whirlwind business globally. Why are they still operating the 747? It's a good platform for international freight. That's why.
If the Chinese airline wants 747 Classic pilots (a vanishing breed), then they have to accomodate the reality of the situation in my opinion. Yes, you are also correct in having to ask the question of why are they still flying a jet that was put together in the early 1970s?
Vanishing breed? Hardly.
Why fly something that was built in the 70's? A LOT of aircraft are in service around the world of the same vintage. Some considerably older.
Just recently I've been ferrying older airplanes out of storage, to be put back in service. One of the types that's been put back in service by a major flag carrier are a fleet of DC-9's. The airline which bought them flies a number of more modern aircraft, but just bought a mothballed fleet of DC-9's. Simply because an airplane is a few years old doesn't mean it's not economically viable.