The Tennessee China Development Center (TCDC) opened in Beijing yesterday, marking the 28th representative office of a US state to establish a presence in China.

"The government of Tennessee sees the TCDC as the hub of a wheel connecting common interests of business, cultures and communities between two sides," Governor of Tennessee Phil Bredesen, who heads a visiting delegation of more than 100 members, told China Daily.

"We're ready to shift into higher gearit is my hope our work will result in greater friendship between our peoples," Bredesen said.

Located in central US, Tennessee is home to over 200 Fortune 500 companies, and the world's busiest cargo airport.

Last year, Tennessee was selected second of the "Top 10 Most Competitive States" in the US by Site Selection magazine for its outstanding business climate, new job creation volume and business expansion projects.

Bredesen indicated that Tennessee is a perfect choice for Chinese investors to access the US market for its "very low tax rates and a highly skilled and productive workplace".

China has become the third largest trading partner of Tennessee, of which the growing dollar value of its exports to China has risen more than 11 percent over five years, according to TCDC.

"Tennessee is not the first US state to create a presence in China, but we plan to become the best," Bredesen said.

(China Daily 10/19/2007 page2)