Posted on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2006

Year ushers in China center

By Peggy Lim

The Chinese Year of the Dog, which begins officially today, is poised to fetch one mighty big bone for Triangle Chinese-Americans: the opening of a North Carolina China Center.

Supporters say the center, to open Feb. 18, could give a vital edge to the state's economy -- where China, including Hong Kong, makes up the state's fourth-largest export market.

"It's critical for us to have a China center," said Peter Cunningham, international trade director of the state Department of Commerce. "China is a fast-growing, emerging market for North Carolina."