Littlefield says city seeks Chinese firms.

Byline: Jason M. Reynolds

May 10--Mayor Ron Littlefield said Wednesday that although Chattanooga didn't land the Toyota plant, the city has gained worldwide exposure and a large employer could come from another Asian nation -- China.

"Placing second in a national competition -- that's not winning, but that's not losing either," he said.

The mayor addressed a joint meeting of the Chattanooga Association of Realtors and the Home Builders Association of Southern Tennessee.

Mr. Littlefield said he attended a world cities forum two weeks ago in Shanghai, China, on a trip paid by the Urban Land Institute.

Americans long have lamented …