This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2007, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Posted: 6:28 AM- Legislative leaders hoping to build business relationships in China are preparing for an 8-day excursion into an industrial province.

When they return, they promise to present a report detailing their activities to a committee comprised largely of those who are planning to go on the trip.

The Legislative Management Committee on Tuesday expanded the delegation from 12 lawmakers to 14 - and mandated the group to make a formal report to the Executive Appropriations Committee.

At least eight of the 20 Executive Appropriations Committee members are among those tentatively scheduled to go on the trip.

"We are investing taxpayer dollars and I would like to know what happened," said Senate President John Valentine, who will not be going on the trip.

The Legislature will spend more than $18,000 to send 10 Republicans and four Democrats to the Liaoning Province from July 7 to July 15.

For Valentine, there is a broad benefit from simply learning about other governments.

"We would be dumb as rocks if we didn't take the opportunity to learn about the world," he said.

This was but one answer lawmakers offered after Sen. Pat Jones, D-Holladay, questioned the purpose of using tax money to send lawmakers to Liaoning.

The responses were varied. Some heralded the potential cultural exchanges. Others said the trip was a way to reciprocate for visits Liaoning officials have already made to Utah.

But most of the discussion centered around business opportunities.

"Everything happens in Asia because of relationships and connections," said House Minority Whip Brad King. "Business and government are really much more closely aligned than they are here in the states."

Lawmakers plan to visit business parks and industrial plants, but they won't have any business representatives with them, like Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. had when he made a trade mission to China last year.

Valentine and House Speaker Greg Curtis said they do plan to formally invite members of the news media to attend as long as they pay their own way.

Two Democrats from Price - King and Sen. Mike Dmitrich - touted mining as one area of shared interest.

"There is a lot of opportunity there," Dmitrich said. "The mine safety aspect. We can generate something there."

House Majority Leader Dave Clark will lead the delegation with Senate Majority Leader Curt Bramble.

Clark said he expects the trip to have concrete benefits, though they may take some time to develop.

"It is an ongoing process," he said.

mcanham@sltrib.com" Target="_BLANK">mcanham@sltrib.com