Statement of Governor Perdue Regarding Delta's Filing for Direct Service from Atlanta to China

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue issued the following statement today regarding Delta Air Lines’ announcement that it will file for direct service from Atlanta to China:

“Delta's filing is just the latest in a long line of good news coming from our hometown airline,” Governor Perdue said. “Delta's international focus is a tremendous complement to our new Global Georgia initiative, and in particular, the opening of our office in China this year. We will continue to support this great Georgia company as it connects our state to new destinations across the world, boosting Georgia’s economic development and tourism efforts."

Today’s announcement is another step in a growing economic and cultural relationship between the state of Georgia and China. Governor Perdue announced last year that Georgia would open a new state economic development office in Beijing. This new international office, the state’s 11th, will help Georgia companies market their products in China, encourage Chinese businesses to invest in Georgia, and promote the state as a tourism destination. A manager for the office has been selected and the operation is slated to open before the end of March. 

Last fall, His Excellency Zhou Wenzhong, Chinese Ambassador to the United States, visited Atlanta to discuss Delta's proposed direct flight from Atlanta to China.  During Ambassador Zhou's visit to Atlanta in November, he indicated to state and city officials that he supports Atlanta as the location for his country’s next Consulate General post in the United States of America.

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