by Nema Etheridge for GlobalAtlanta

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport General Manager Ben DeCosta saw eye to eye with Ying Hui Gao, reigning Miss China, on her desire to foster a closer economic and cultural relationship between Georgia and China.

“We feel the same way,” Mr. DeCosta told Ms. Gao after she expressed through a translator her hope to promote friendship and economic exchange between the United States and China.

Ms. Gao spoke with Mr. DeCosta at a July 25 press conference at Hartsfield-Jackson that was held immediately after Ms. Gao finished an eight-hour trip from Los Angeles to Atlanta via Chicago. She had participated in the Miss Universe Pageant 2006 in Los Angeles two days earlier.

Upon arriving in Atlanta, Ms. Gao began a three-day whirlwind tour of the city’s executive offices that started at Hartsfield-Jackson.

“We know that the expansion of Atlanta is directly linked to our connection with China,” Mr. DeCosta said during the press conference, referring to the city’s efforts to grow as an international business center and get a direct flight to China.

He also said that Ms. Gao’s visit would help Atlanta strengthen its ties to China.

Before Ms. Gao left the airport July 25, she had already promised to promote the establishment of a direct flight between Atlanta and Beijing.  She reiterated her support for the new route when she met with Delta Air Lines Inc. officials at their offices July 27.

Ms. Gao also promised to welcome visiting Georgia delegations when they arrive in China in August and September.

She told Mr. DeCosta and Robert Kennedy, director of marketing and business development at the airport, that she would meet them and Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin when they visit China in September.

She also made tentative plans with Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Craig Lesser to meet with state officials when they travel to China in August.

Ms. Gao, who has a background in journalism but aspires to be a beauty and fashion entrepreneur, said she was grateful to Atlanta-based Fortune 500 companies such as Coca-Cola Co., Home Depot Inc. and United Parcel Service Inc. for doing business in China.

After leaving Atlanta, she will travel to New York and Washington before returning to China.

A native of the northeast Chinese city of Harbin, Ms. Gao visited Atlanta with local resident Nick Qin who started the Miss China Universe Organization in 2003.

Approximately 8,000 women across China participate in local pageants to compete for qualification for the Miss China Universe competition.

For more information on Ms. Gao’s visit, contact Mr. Qin, who is also founder of Norcross-based travel company China Professional Tours, at (678) 521-9058.

To learn more about Mr. Qin’s work, read:

“Norcross Firm Putting on Miss China Pageant,” from June 30, 2005.

“Unlike in U.S., This Chinese Province’s TV Produces Own Events,” from July 8, 2005.

“Norcross Head of Miss China Pageant Dethrones Winner,” from April 14, 2006.