Government & Commerce and Shandong Province are both members of the Regional Leaders Summit (RLS), a strategic The state of Georgia has had continuous representation in China since 2007; Paul Swenson has led Georgia’s alliance of seven international regions fostering the exchange of best practices on topics of mutual interest. international trade efforts in China since 2013, while Georgia hosted the Regional Leaders Summit in 2014. John Ling has handled international investment since 2015. Soong Ai-ling was the first Chinese woman to be The Chinese Consulate General in Houston, Texas, educated in the in 1904. She attended Wesleyan College in Macon. serves eight U.S. states, including Georgia. Mr. Li Qiangmin has served as Consul General since May In commemoration of the 35th anniversary of U.S.- 2014. China diplomatic normalization in 2014, the Carter Center’s China Program hosted a Chinese Governor Nathan Deal led economic development contemporary art exhibit, attended by former U.S. missions to China in 2011 and 2013. Commissioner Chris Carr also led delegations of state officials and President . business leaders to China to expand on business, trade The University System of Georgia offers more than 35 and tourism opportunities in 2014 and 2015. In 2014, study abroad programs to China, where students can Georgia was the only U.S. state invited to showcase a study economics, finance, ecology, law and information garden at the 2014 Qingdao International Horticultural technology. Exposition. Mayor led a trade mission to China in 2012. Trade Relationship

Georgia-based organizations such as the Georgia EXPORTS: In 2015, Georgia’s exports to China totaled China Alliance, National Association of Chinese- $2.6 billon, ranking 3rd among Georgia’s top exporter Americans (NACA), Chinese Business Association of nations. Atlanta (CBAA), Atlanta Chinese Professionals (ACP), U.S.-China Peoples Friendship Association (USCPFA) Top exports from Georgia to China include: civilian and the Hong Kong Trade Office help foster business aircraft and parts, chemical woodpulp, kraft paper and connections between Georgians and Chinese piston engines. professionals. Georgia leads the nation in exporting the following Georgia has four sister city agreements with China: goods to China: chemical woodpulp, kraft paper and Brunswick - Ganzhou, Hinesville - Yichun, Savannah – piston engines. Jiujiang and Tifton –Linyi. Sandy Springs has a friendship-city relationship with Taicang. IMPORTS: In 2015, Georgia’s imports from China totaled $19.8 billion. China ranks 1st among Georgia’s top importer nations.

Georgia’s top import products from China include: Georgia products, attracting tourists to Georgia, and automatic data processing machinery, television promoting the state as a destination for arts and receivers, furniture products, toys, plastics and articles location for film, music and digital entertainment of iron or steel. projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development. Capital Investment GDEcD’s Economic Development At least 62 Georgia companies have operations in Representatives in China China, including but not limited to:

AJC International Alcon John Ling Managing Director – Investment Delta Air Lines State of Georgia - China Merial, Inc. [email protected] NCR Corporation

WestRock Southwire Company Paul Swenson The Coca-Cola Company Managing Director – Trade State of Georgia – China Travelport LTD [email protected]

There are at least 41 Chinese facilities operating in Jane Zheng A list can be found online at Georgia. Trade Representative insite.georgia.org. State of Georgia – China [email protected] Leading Chinese companies in Georgia include

Hisense, SANY America and TravelSky. Daniel Shen Georgia Tourism Representative Transportation State of Georgia – China [email protected] Delta Air Lines offers one-connection flights from Atlanta to Beijing and Shanghai via Detroit, Los *Inf ormation v alid as of September 2016 Angeles, New York City, Seattle or Tokyo.

The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) in Savannah has an established relationship with 10 port cities in China. The GPA offers eleven weekly shipping services from the port of Savannah to Shanghai nine to Yantian, nine to Ningbo, eight to Hong Kong, three to Xiaman, two to Qingdao, one to Chiwan, and one weekly service to Da- Chan Bay, Shekou and Xingang.

About GDEcD

The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is the state’s sales and marketing arm, the lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, aligning workforce education and training with in-demand jobs, locating new markets for