BIRMINGHAM, Ala - When Alabama Governor Bob Riley took over as chairman of the Southern Governors' Association (SGA) last year, he set a simple but far-reaching goal: to boost economic development in the US South by attracting international investment.

But before this could be achieved an important question had to be answered. Which country could help us meet our aim?

"Since we cannot travel to countries simultaneously, which country should we start our initiative with first?" Riley told China Daily during the association's recent annual meeting. "It was our unanimous opinion that since China is such a vibrant, growing and strong market, we would start this initiative in China."