Victoria Mayor Dean Fortin will lead a trade delegation to China next month.

The primary objective of the mission is economic development, Fortin says.

"We want to look to build connections with three of our major industries -- high tech, tourism and higher learning," he said. "So we're taking a trade delegation to just do that -- open doors, build opportunities. We know that trade increases wealth and employment on both sides of the Pacific."

The trip April 18 to May 2 is funded through the province's Asia-Pacific Initiative, which provided the city with $50,000 in grants.

The start of the mission ties into the end of the Canadian Tourism Commission's Showcase Canada event and the beginning of the Shanghai Expo.

About a dozen delegates will visit Suzhou and Shanghai as well as Nanning -- identified in the itinerary as a gateway city to the markets of Thailand and South Asia -- and Changsha, a city with a number of educational institutions where they hope to develop "friendship city" affiliations. Friendship relationships are sometimes seen as a first step toward "twinned" relationships.

Less formal than twinning, they are intended to enhance mutual understanding and provide chances for educational, cultural and economic exchange, city staff say.

The city's director of protocol, Sheryl Masters, will accompany Fortin on the trip.

The delegation, which includes representatives from the education, tourism and high-tech sectors, will also mark the 30th anniversary of the twinning between Victoria and Suzhou.

Victoria has been working with the Greater Victoria Development Agency to plan the event.

The agenda calls for meetings with provincial trade representatives and economic and tourism organizations, as well as interviews with the Chinese media.

The cost of the trip is about $4,500 per delegate, which includes airfare, hotel and per diem.

bcleverley@tc.canwest.com