A delegation of senior officials from China's Hebei Province visited Atlanta June 20-21 led by Zhang Li, senior adviser to Hebei People's Government and honorary chairman of the People's Association of Hebei Province for Friendship with Foreign Countries.

Mr. Zhang told attendees at a reception hosted by United Parcel Service Inc. at the offices of the Atlanta law firm Alston & Bird LLPthat Hebei Province, which has a population of 68 million people, was one the fastest growing provinces economically in China.

He said that the province remains an important agricultural center as well. One out of every six chickens grown in China comes from Hebei, he added.

He also said that anyone who has visited Beijing would have at least flown over Hebei because the province surrounds the country's capital.

The eight-person delegation was composed of representatives of the province's health bureau and universities, including a teachers' university.

UPS hosted the event because, in addition to its expanding business ties to China generally, it is involved in several education projects in the cities of  Zunhua and Xibaipo, which are both in Hebei Province.

In recent years, UPS has contributed some $500,000 in community and educational projects in Zunhua and Xibaipo. It also has organized community oriented exchange programs.

The reception was organized by the  Georgia China Alliance.