Brown Says California Will Open Trade Offices In China

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Gov. Jerry Brown says California will open a trade office in China to promote investment between the two economies.

Brown announced plans Friday for the California-China Trade and Investment Office, saying it will encourage "existing ties between the world's second- and ninth-largest economies."

He is hosting Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping in Los Angeles during Xi's last stop in a weeklong U.S. tour.

Brown's office says two branches will be set up, one in Beijing and one in Shanghai. Financing will be provided by private partners through the Governor's Office Of Business and Economic Development.

California has not had a formal presence in China since the previous foreign trade office closed in 2003.

Los Angeles city officials say they plan to open a trade and tourism office in Chongqing.