"I have watched and admired China's growth and development, and I don't think you can be a truly international city without having a strong relationship with China," he told China Daily in his office.

Reed, who regards himself as a "citizen of the world", has been cultivating his personal engagement with China for years by participating in local Chinese-American activities and promoting Chinese businesses.

Kasim Reed, Mayor of Atlanta: I believe we are going to be the logistics center for the Western Hemisphere. At the end of the day, the city of Atlanta is going to move from being an inspirational worldclass city to being a city that by every important measure is world class.	Nathan Deal, Governor of Georgia: Our nations, while different in many ways, have many interests in common, and we have only just begun to explore avenues in which we can partner to grow our mutual economic prosperity. Sharing information is one of the most important of these.	Chris Cummiskey, Commissioner, Georgia Department of Economic Development: China Daily joins many other international companies who have chosen Georgia for its many business advantages and we trust China Daily will experience the same kind of success.

Reed, who is still planning his first trip to China, said he is amazed by China's high-speed rail development and Beijing's successful hosting of the Olympics in 2008.

China is "a country that works well" and Reed said he can learn a great deal from his counterparts. He has included China into his vision of the city.

"I believe we are going to be the logistics center for the Western Hemisphere," he said. "At the end of the day, the city of Atlanta is going to move from being an inspirational world-class city to being a city that by every important measure is world class."

"Which is why the relationship with China is so important as we move toward increasing globalization and interconnectedness," he said.

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Atlanta, dubbed the "Heart of the South" or the "Capital of the South", is well known in China because of the 1996 Olympics, or the famous American novel Gone with the Wind.

But its reputation as an important transportation and business hub in the US is less familiar. Atlanta ranks fourth in the number of Fortune 500 companies headquartered within city boundaries, behind New York City, Houston and Dallas. Many multinational companies, such as The Coca-Cola Company, Home Depot and UPS, are based in the city.

Reed believes Atlanta's strong fundamentals can be very attractive to Chinese investors.

"Irreplaceable" transportation networks in the air, railroads and highways, as well as pleasant weather and relatively low business operation costs, make the city a popular destination for the well-educated young.

"We are the No 1 city in the US for attracting college students aged between 24 and 35," Reed said.

Many Chinese businesses have recognized Atlanta's advantages. SANY, the largest heavy equipment manufacturer in China, Hisense, a major electronics manufacturer, and Huawei, the country's largest telecommunications equipment supplier, have built their US bases in the city.

To enhance the China relationship, Reed has mapped out a strategy which starts with a "complete personal engagement".

Along with meeting diplomats and business executives from China and the US, Reed's administration is learning from UPS, a company with a large presence in China about developing stronger ties and identifying long-term partners as well as relating culture and tradition to business practices.

Chinese-American organizations, such as the National Association of Chinese Americans (NACA), have also played significant roles in promoting understanding and relationships between the two countries, Reed said.

Last year, the 2010 US-China Business Conference, hosted by NACA, brought together industry leaders from the US and China to share their practices and strategies on pursuing markets in China.

But Reed also knows Atlanta will face fierce competition from other cities and countries in accessing China

As local US governments are suffering from the sluggish economy and fighting against high unemployment, they have shown great interest in attracting foreign investment, especially from China, the world's second-largest economy.

"There is a long line. The question is: How can you break through and how can you stand out?" he said.

China Daily