Gov. Pat Quinn is taking a trip out west.
The Illinois governor will be among a group of officials meeting with Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping this Friday.
Quinn spokeswoman Brooke Anderson said Quinn will participate in a roundtable discussion and go to a luncheon hosted by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
Xi is visiting the U.S. this week on a tour that is seen as a prelude to his ascent as China's likely next leader. On Tuesday, he met with President Barack Obama.
On Wednesday, he was in Iowa to return to the Mississippi River town of Muscatine, which he visited 27 years ago during a diplomatic exchange.
In September, Quinn went on a trade mission to China.
Quinn’s trade mission to China began to bear economic fruit as he announced $300 million in new business agreements between companies in China and Illinois.
In a statement released Monday from Beijing, Quinn announced that one of the world’s largest wind turbine manufacturers will build a $200 million wind farm in Lee County, Illinois. Additionally, a Decatur-based food production company will export $100 million worth of soy beans to a Chinese manufacturer of soy products by the end of 2012.
“Illinois is a top competitor in the global economy, and our aggressive plans to double exports and develop innovative new partnerships in emerging technology fields are continuing to advance our growth on the international stage,” Quinn said.
