Antonio's Asia itinerary

MAYOR VILLARAIGOSA ANNOUNCES UPCOMING ASIA TRADE MISSION AND VISIT TO UNITED KINGDOM Los Angeles - Mayor Villaraigosa announced today that from October 8, 2006 to October 21, 2006, he will lead a delegation of city officials and other leaders from the private and non-profit sectors to cities in China, Japan and South Korea.

During the mission, Mayor Villaraigosa will visit Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Guangzhou and Hong Kong in China; Seoul and Busan in South Korea; and Tokyo and Nagoya in Japan. The Mayor will advocate for municipal business on behalf of the Port of Los Angeles, the City’s airports and the travel and tourism industry.

“Los Angeles’ historical relationship with Asia has benefited our City’s economy and enriched its daily life,” said Mayor Villaraigosa. “Today, the City faces growing competition from other US cities and states -- and countries * that are aggressively pursuing their own interests,” Mayor Villaraigosa added.

Los Angeles is the second largest city in the United States, with a metropolitan population of four million and a countywide population of ten million. In addition, Los Angeles operates the fifth busiest airport in the world, the largest port in the United States, and has 30 of the largest national populations outside their (native) country of origin, including China, Japan and South Korea.

“I am looking forward to visiting China, Korea and Japan,” said Mayor Villaraigosa. “I personally want to thank the governments, businesses and organizations who are working with us to make our Los Angeles Trade Mission a great success,” Mayor Villaraigosa added.

The Port of Los Angeles (POLA), Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), LA INC., the

Convention and Visitors Bureau, Film LA, and representatives from the local business, cultural and academic communities are participating in the Mayor’s advocacy mission. Deliverables include memorandums of understanding and other agreements related to foreign direct investment, environmental initiatives, sector development and cultural exchange.

Mayor Villaraigosa also announced his upcoming visit to the United Kingdom.

At the invitation of Prime Minister Tony Blair, Mayor Villaraigosa will travel to London and Manchester during the week of September 24th in support of the City of Los Angeles’ efforts to sustain global climate change, strengthen anti-terrorism, and secure the City's bid for the 2016 Olympic Games.

Mayor Villaraigosa will participate in briefings investigating the UK’s anti-terrorism efforts and their applicability to the City of Los Angeles. To bolster the City’s efforts for the 2016 Olympic bid, Mayor Villaraigosa will study London’s successful bid and preparations for the 2012 Games, and will also participate in a panel in Manchester addressing delegates of the Labour Party Conference regarding Los Angeles’ leading role in the Clinton Foundation’s Climate Change Initiative.

Mission Schedule:

China
Beijing: Sunday October 8 to Tuesday October 10
Tianjin: Wednesday October 11
Shanghai: Thursday October 12
Hong Kong: Friday, October 13
Guangzhou: Saturday October 14 and Sunday October 15

South Korea
Seoul: Monday October 16 and Tuesday October 17
Busan: Wednesday, October 18

Japan
Tokyo: Thursday October 19 and Friday October 20
Nagoya: Saturday October 21

* Media interested in traveling to Asia please contact Rebekah Kim, in the Office of Communications 213-922-9742 for information on securing visas.

* During the Mayor’s trade mission, the Los Angeles contact for information is Matt Szabo, Press Secretary in the Office of Communications, who can be reached at 213-xxx-xxxx.

The Office of Communications will issue a daily report on the mission.