Asia-Pacific

Chicago mayor pledges to attract investment from China

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-09-17 09:15

CHICAGO - Chicago's mayor Richard Daley on Thursday said that he will endeavor to convince Chinese investors to put money into infrastructure improvements in Chicago during his week-long trip, the local newspaper Chicago Tribune reported on Thursday.

The mayor is scheduled to lead a delegation of Chicago's business and cultural leaders on a trip to China and Korea from September 18 to 24, in a purpose to raise funds for the city's further development.

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"In these tough economic times we need to be doing everything we can to make sure our city is competitive globally and we are attracting business and tourism which will help boost our local economy," said Mayor Daley.

Daley will stop in China's Shanghai, a sister city of Chicago, where the Mayor will meet with CEOs from Chinese companies and  promote Chicago as a premier destination for businesses and visitors. He will also meet with Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng to discuss ongoing partnerships in education and economic development, said the Mayor's Press Office.

According to the US Department of Commerce, the number of Chinese tourists traveling to America is expected to jump 15 percent to 556,000 in 2010 and exceed 800,000 by 2013.

The 68-year-old Daley has taken office as Chicago's mayor since 1989 and announced that he would not seek a seventh term next year.