Gov. set for China trade mission this spring

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Gov. Scott Walker says he's heading to China this spring.

Walker's office says he'll embark on a trade mission to the country on April 12. Members of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection will accompany him. The itinerary calls for visits to Beijing, Shanghai, Hefei and Harbin. The group is scheduled to leave the country on April 21.

Walker's office says the trip is designed to reinforce and expand trading partnerships in the country, which is already Wisconsin's third largest export market behind Canada and Mexico. The state moved nearly $1.4 billion in exports to the country in 2011.

Walker's predecessor, Jim Doyle, traveled to China on trade missions five times during his two terms in office.