Miss. Governor Meets With Chinese Delegation

In 2008, China became the state's third-largest trading partner, behind only Canada and Mexico, Barbour said.

"We are seeing our trade with China increase every year. About $400 million last year," he said.

State officials will also be making a significant announcement in the next few days concerning University of Southern Mississippi's Polymer Institute and its relationship with a "world major manufacturer," Barbour said.

The largest Chinese delegation was from Changzhou, a city of 3.5 million people south of Shanghai known for its textile, food processing, engineering and high technology industries.

Siva Yam, president of the U.S.-China Chamber Commerce, said Changzhou and Mississippi are growing business centers.

"My background is in investment," Yam said. "In investment ... you buy the stock when the stock is going up. You sell, when the stock is going down. Changzhou and Mississippi have the same opportunity. They are on the rise."

After Han Jiuyun, vice mayor of Changzhou, shared reasons for his city's growth, Qiao Hong, consulate general of the People's Republic of China in Houston, encouraged state business leaders to travel to Changzhou because "seeing is believing."