Mayor Otis Johnson poses with gifts for China. A delegation from the City of Savannah leaves Saturday, Nov. 1, for a nineday trip to China to develop economic opportunities and formalize our Sister Cities Agreement with Jiujiang City in China's Jiangxi Province. This trip is the second half of a journey that began in the spring, when a delegation from Jiujuang traveled to Savannah and signed a Sister City Letter of Intent in City Hall.

The group, which includes Mayor Otis Johnson, aldermen Edna Jackson and Van R. Johnson, City Manager Michael Brown and representatives from the Savannah College of Art and Design and Savannah River Landing, will strengthen ties with government, business, civic and cultural leaders during the trip. Jiujiang, a city of 4.5 million, is a growing port city located along the Yangtze River.

Beginning Saturday, members of the delegation will update a special travel blog on the City's Web site, which will include recaps of each day's events, special photos and maps. Citizens are encouraged to follow the delegation's journey online at www.savannahga.gov.