SAN FRANCISCO, May 17 (Xinhua) -- An Alaska state trade delegation will leave for China this weekend to promote shared business interests between the northwestern U.S. state and China, a local media network reported Thursday.
The delegation, which will have over 40 members, will consist of representatives from more than 20 businesses, as well as state officials and politicians.
The trade mission, headed by Alaska Governor Bill Walker, aims to sell not only Alaska's seafood and gas, but also beer to Chinese consumers during the upcoming 10-day trip to China, the world's second-largest economy, said the online edition of the Alaska Public Media (APM), a non-profit TV and radio network serving the south-central Alaska region.
David McCarthy, a member of the trade delegation and also the co-owner of Denali Visions 3000 company that owns the 49th State Brewing Co., hopes to expand the brewery's reach and get Alaska beer into Chinese hands, said the APM.
"They've been working hand-in-hand actually to get our beer over to China to have there available for people to try as part of these events over there," McCarthy said.
Apart from the seafood and beer, the group will also promote the state's baby food, tourism and energy such as oil and gas in China.
The Alaska delegation will visit the major Chinese cities of Shanghai, Beijing and Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province in southwest China.