08 LC 21
9707
House
Resolution 1230
By:
Representatives Byrd of the
20th,
Hill of the
21st,
and Shipp of the
58th
A
RESOLUTION
Expressing
cultural, economic, and educational cooperation with the People's Republic of
China; congratulating the People's Republic of China on the 30th anniversary of
economic reform; and inviting Consul General Qiao Hong to appear before the
House of Representatives; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
there is a bond of friendship between the citizens of Georgia and the People's
Republic of China, and the people of Georgia welcome opportunities to grow our
already deep relationship at all levels including cultural, academic, and
business; and
WHEREAS,
China is celebrating 30 years of economic reform this year; and
WHEREAS,
Georgia is proud that Georgia based companies such as the Coca-Cola Company,
United Parcel Service, Home Depot, Delta Air Lines, Inter-Continental Hotels,
John Portman & Associates, CNN, AJC International, Inc., GE Energy,
Char-Broil, Concurrent Computer Corporation, and Micrometrics have operations in
China; and
WHEREAS,
Georgia is proud that a growing number of Chinese companies such as COSCO North
America, Kingwasong LLC, Yat Ming USA, Inc., Ecotech Machinery, Inc., and New
West International, Inc. have operations in Georgia; and
WHEREAS,
the Georgia Department of Economic Development will soon open an economic
development office in Beijing; and
WHEREAS,
the China Governance and Development Program of the International Center for
Democratic Governance with the Carl Vinson Institute at the University of
Georgia fosters strong ties between Georgia and China by providing governmental
training and technical assistance to visiting delegations of Chinese officials
on an annual basis; and
WHEREAS,
Kennesaw State University is home to the China Research Center, the
SINO-American Education Consortium, the Center for International Programs, and
the Chinese Proficiency Testing Center; and
WHEREAS,
many other Georgia colleges and universities also have ties with China, among
them Emory University, the Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia Southern
University, Georgia State University, and Valdosta State University;
and
WHEREAS,
approximately 1,500 Chinese students study in Georgia universities, 140 Chinese
faculty members work in Georgia's universities, and 331 students from Georgia
have participated in numerous study abroad and student exchange programs with
Chinese universities; and
WHEREAS,
China is a top destination for Georgia exports, totaling over $979 million with
top exports including paper, food products, minerals, ore, nonmetallic mineral
products, forestry products, textiles, and textile mill products;
and
WHEREAS,
Georgia imports over $8.2 billion from China through the Savannah Customs
District with top imports including industrial and electrical machinery,
furniture, toys, games, iron and steel products, and plastics; and
WHEREAS,
two-way trade to and from China flowing through Georgia's ports of Atlanta,
Brunswick, and Savannah total over $12 billion, ranking Georgia as the sixth
largest port in the United States for imports and exports with China and the
second largest port on the East Coast; and
WHEREAS,
Savannah ranks sixth among U.S. container ports in Asian imports and ranks
second among U.S. East Coast ports in imports from China with 65 percent of all
Asian based cargo transiting into the U.S. South Atlantic moving through
Savannah; and
WHEREAS,
the Georgia Ports Authority and the Shanghai International Port Group signed an
agreement to promote jointly all-water shipping routes and trade opportunities
between Shanghai and the Port of Savannah; and
WHEREAS,
Georgia is proud to be home to the Georgia China Alliance, the Atlanta Chapter
of the National Association of Chinese Americans, The Chinese Business
Association of Atlanta, the Association of Chinese Professionals, the Hong Kong
Association of Atlanta, and the Asian-American Chamber of Commerce;
and
WHEREAS,
Delta Air Lines has obtained approval to operate a daily nonstop flight from
Atlanta to China which has an economic impact of $400 million on the
Southeastern United States; and
WHEREAS,
Atlanta and all of Georgia would be honored to be selected to serve as the home
of the next Consulate General of the People's Republic of China; and
WHEREAS,
the 2008 Olympic Games which will be hosted by China create opportunities for
Georgia companies similar to those created when Atlanta hosted the Olympic Games
in 1996; and
WHEREAS,
Honorable Qiao Hong, Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Houston
will honor us with her presence on February 26, 2008.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of
this body hereby recognize the special friendship between Georgia and the
People's Republic of China, congratulate the People's Republic of China on the
30th anniversary of economic reform, and encourage further commercial, cultural,
and educational ties between our two nations.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Consul General Qiao Hong is invited to appear before
this body on a date and at a time designated by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution Consul General
Qiao Hong.