On the day Delta Air Lines offered direct service to Shanghai, Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue and a delegation from Georgia were on a flight to establish an economic development office in Beijing for the State of Georgia. Vice Provost for International Initiatives Steve McLaughlin was part of the team.

"Part of that trip is going to be focused on 'R and D' and how Georgia (can develop partnerships)." Tech currently has or is developing collaborative efforts with both Peking University and Tsinghua University in China's capital city.