Mayor Naheed Nenshi left for China on Wednesday to help create new opportunities for Calgary's energy and financial services sectors in that country.
The mayor is leading a 75-member delegation that will visit Beijing and Shanghai on the six-day trip.
"What it really is about is about opening doors for Calgary businesses — mostly small- and medium-sized businesses — towards investors and markets in China," Nenshi said.
The trip was organized by Calgary Economic Development (CED), in conjunction with the mayor's office, Tourism Calgary and the Calgary Airport Authority.
Alberta Finance Minister Lloyd Snelgrove is also part of the delegation.
"This is the largest trade delegation that Calgary has ever sent abroad," said Nenshi.
"This is not one of those deals where it's all for show and at the end, we'll sign a contract saying we're bringing pandas to Calgary, or something. What it really is about is opening doors," he said.


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