Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ upcoming trade mission to China will include representatives of Kansas University among the 45-member Kansas delegation.

The trip, Oct. 21-29, will focus on expanding opportunities for Kansas businesses to sell goods and services to the world’s most populous nation.

Representatives from business, agriculture and education will join Sebelius. Kansas University Provost David Shulenburger and Sheree Willis, a program director at the Center of East Asian Studies, will be part of the group. Willis is an experienced interpreter and translator.

Sebelius said it will be the largest mission ever organized by Kansas to pursue new markets in Asia.

The trip includes stops in Beijing, Zhengzhou and Shanghai. There will be meetings with senior members of Chinese government ministries, a hosted Kansas event for government and business leaders in Beijing, an official opening of a Kansas China Office in Beijing, networking opportunities with Chinese business executives in sister state Henan Province, and strengthening of educational programs of teaching and exchange with Kansas Regents universities.