Governor Perdue Leads Historic Business Mission to China

Governor will participate in Delta’s inaugural flight to Shanghai and open Georgia office in Beijing

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue is pleased to announce details of the business mission to the People’s Republic of China, March 30 – April 5, 2008 that he mentioned in his State of the State speech.  The Governor will participate in Delta Air Lines’ inaugural daily service between Atlanta and Shanghai.  After business calls in Shanghai, the Governor will travel to Beijing to open Georgia’s 11th economic development office outside the U.S.  Joining Governor Perdue will be Secretary of State Karen Handel, senior officials from the General Assembly, the Department of Economic Development, the University System, and the Georgia Ports Authority, and business leaders from throughout the state. 

“Our office in Beijing will join our global commerce teams in cities all over the world, making Georgia an even more desirable location for foreign direct investment and tourism while facilitating the entry of Georgia businesses into foreign markets,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “Delta’s direct, non-stop service between the business capitals of China and the southeastern United States is yet another vital link between our economies.”

China was Georgia’s third-largest export destination at $1.1 billion in 2006. Trade to and from China (including Hong Kong) flowing through Atlanta, Savannah and Brunswick totaled $16.7 billion. The Georgia U.S. Customs District ranked seventh among all U.S. districts for exports and imports with China (including Hong Kong), and second on the U.S. East Coast. China and Hong Kong accounted for more than 43 percent of the Port of Savannah’s total container volume in 2006.

Several Chinese companies have located in Georgia in the last 24 months, including Kingwasong (a joint venture between Ningbo Lehui Food Machinery Co., Ltd. and New Jersey-based W.Y. Industries, Inc.) in Newnan; Hailun Piano in Atlanta; General Protecht Group in Barnesville; and Sany Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. in Peachtree City.  Georgia companies besides Delta with operations in China include UPS, GE Energy and AFC Industries.

More than half a dozen Georgia universities have connections with China. Georgia’s Chinese community of approximately 24,000 people is served by the Chinese consulate in Houston, but Georgia officials are actively pursuing the establishment of a new consulate in Atlanta.

This mission marks Governor Perdue’s 14th international trip during his 60 months in office. Previous visits include: Germany and the United Kingdom (June 2003); Japan and Korea (October 2003); El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras (May 2004); Brazil, Chile, and Argentina (June 2004); Mexico (September 2004); Canada (July 2005); Japan (October 2005); Israel (November 2005); Korea (March 2006); Ireland, the United Kingdom, France, the Czech Republic, Germany, and Belgium (June 2007); Japan and Korea (October 2007); and Canada (November 2007). The Governor also visited with United States military personnel during a Thanksgiving 2005 trip to Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

Georgia citizens will once again be able to follow developments during the trip on the website http://www.StateofGeorgiaMissions.com. The Web site debuted during Governor Perdue’s mission to Europe in June 2007, serving as a central source of information. Mission participants will update the site throughout the trip with press releases and photographs.

Although the mission will proceed as planned, Governor Perdue’s participation is contingent upon the conclusion of the 2008 regular session of the Georgia General Assembly.

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