GEORGIA – CHINA Economic Development Connection

Government & Commerce Georgia and Shandong Province are both members of the Regional Leaders Summit (RLS), The state of Georgia has had continuous a strategic alliance of seven international regions representation in China since 2007; Paul fostering the exchange of best practices on Swenson has led Georgia’s international trade topics of mutual interest. Georgia hosted the efforts in China since 2013. Regional Leaders Summit in 2014.

The Chinese Consulate General in Houston, Soong Ai-ling was the first Chinese woman to be Texas, serves eight U.S. states, including Georgia. educated in the United States in 1904. She Li Qiangmin has served as Consul General since attended Wesleyan College in Macon. May 2014. In commemoration of the 35th anniversary of Georgia Governor Nathan Deal traveled to China U.S.-China diplomatic normalization in 2014, the in 2011 and 2013. Georgia Department of Carter Center’s China Program hosted a Chinese Economic Development Commissioner Chris Carr contemporary art exhibit, attended by former has also led several delegations of state officials U.S. President Jimmy Carter. and business leaders to China to expand on business, trade and tourism opportunities. In The University System of Georgia offers 2014, Georgia was the only U.S. state invited to numerous study abroad programs to China. showcase a garden at the 2014 Qingdao Students study economics, finance, ecology, law International Horticultural Exposition. Atlanta and information technology. Mayor Kasim Reed led a trade mission to China in 2012. Trade Relationship

Georgia-based organizations such as the Georgia EXPORTS: In 2014, Georgia’s exports to China China Alliance, National Association of Chinese- totaled $3.1 billon, ranking 2nd among Georgia’s Americans (NACA), Chinese Business Association top exporter nations. of Atlanta (CBAA), Atlanta Chinese Professionals (ACP), U.S.-China Peoples Friendship Association Top exports from Georgia to China include: (USCPFA) and the Hong Kong Trade Office help civilian aircraft and parts, chemical woodpulp, foster business connections between Georgians kraft paper and poultry. and Chinese professionals. Georgia leads the country in exporting the Georgia has four sister city agreements with following goods to China: chemical woodpulp, China: Brunswick - Ganzhou, Hinesville - Yichun, kraft paper and poultry. Savannah - Jiujiang and Tifton -Linyi. Sandy

Springs has a friendship-city relationship with Taicang.

IMPORTS: In 2014, Georgia’s imports from China About GDEcD totaled $18.6 billion, which was a 5.78% increase from 2013. China ranks 1st among Georgia’s top The Georgia Department of Economic importer nations. Development (GDEcD) is the state’s sales and marketing arm, the lead agency for attracting Georgia’s top import products from China new business investment, encouraging the include: automatic data processing machinery, expansion of existing industry and small television receivers, furniture products, toys, businesses, aligning workforce education and plastics and articles of iron or steel. training with in-demand jobs, locating new markets for Georgia products, attracting tourists Capital Investment to Georgia, and promoting the state as a destination for arts and location for film, music At least 59 Georgia companies have operations and digital entertainment projects, as well as in China, including but not limited to: planning and mobilizing state resources for AJC International economic development. Alcon Delta Air Lines GDEcD’s Economic Development Representative in China Hooters of America Merial, Inc. Paul Swenson NCR Corporation Managing Director – Trade Newell Rubbermaid State of Georgia – China Rock-Tenn Company The Coca-Cola Company HI Office Tower, Suite 1003 The Home Depot 899 Dong Fang Road Travelport LTD Shanghai 200122 - CHINA T: +86 (21) 6867.6006 There are at least 35 Chinese facilities operating [email protected] in Georgia. These Chinese-affiliated companies employ at least 300 Georgians. A list can be John Ling found online at insite.georgia.org. Managing Director – Investment State of Georgia – China Leading Chinese companies in Georgia include Hisense Tower, Room 1408 Hisense, SANY America and TravelSky. 17 Dong Hai Xi Road Qingdao 266071 - CHINA Transportation T: +86 (13) 816118956 T: (U.S) +1 864 518 0012 Delta Air Lines offers one-connection flights from [email protected] Atlanta to Beijing and Shanghai via Detroit, Los Daniel Shen Angeles, New York City, Seattle or Tokyo. Georgia Tourism Representative State of Georgia - China The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) in Savannah Room 7A04, Yitianxia Mansion has an established relationship with 10 port cities 360 Hengtong Road, Shanghai 200070 - in China. The GPA offers eleven weekly shipping CHINA services from the port of Savannah to Shanghai T: +86 (21) 6248 7055 ext. 808 nine to Yantian, nine to Ningbo, eight to Hong [email protected] Kong, three to Xiaman, two to Qingdao, one to Chiwan, and one weekly service to Da-Chan Bay, *Information valid as of September 2015 Shekou and Xingang.