The diplomatic trip to the Liaoning Province is rather unusual.

The Utah Legislature has no other active sister-state relationship and House and Senate staffers could find no other international trip partially paid for by taxpayers.

The Legislature will spend at least $36,000 in state money to send 13 lawmakers and two staffers on the trip. That money covers their airfare and part of their hotel bill.

The Chinese government is subsidizing lodging costs and is also paying for all entertainment, transportation and meals.

For the most part, Utah's legislators will participate in a series of "official receptions" with government leaders in Liaoning. They will also meet with some business and education officials.

But it isn't all business. Most of the legislators are paying for their spouses to attend. They will take in the Peking Opera, visit the Great Wall and the Forbidden City.

A few lawmakers and some lobbyists have criticized the trip for the size of the delegation and the vague goals of legislative leaders.

Senate Majority Leader Curt Bramble, who is leading the delegation with House Majority Leader Dave Clark, is urging people to give them some time before judging the value of the visit.

"I don't know what will come of this, but I expect it to be good," he said.

Bramble has promised to send back reports focused on four areas: cultural, governmental, economic and educational.

The delegation will also present a written report to the Legislative Management Committee on July 17, two days after they return.

Each of the legislators participating has his or her own goals.

Rep. Kory Holdaway, R-Taylorsville, wants to focus on expanding the relationships between Utah universities and their counterparts in China.

Rep. Sheryl Allen, R-Bountiful, hopes to learn about trade negotiations because she is a member of a group that advises the U.S. trade ambassadors.

Senate Minority Leader Mike Dmitrich is hoping to foster a relationship with mining leaders in Liaoning.

For Rep. Eric Hutchings, R-Kearns, the goal is a bit broader.

He speaks Mandarin and has a degree in Asian studies. When the rest of the delegation returns to Utah, Hutchings will travel to another area of China to do some consulting work. The Utah business is picking up his travel costs.

Hutchings looks at the legislative trip in historic terms.

"My hope is to help keep the dialogue open - to talk about democracy, to talk about capitalism," he said. "It may seem a little grandiose that we could do that, but I think a lot can be done on the local level."

Liaoning officials initiated the relationship and have made two previous trips to Utah, both of them brief.

Utah legislators have described the trip as a "government to government" visit and at times as a "trade mission."

Chinese officials invited members of the media or business owners to accompany lawmakers, but no one has taken them up on the offer.

Bramble said lawmakers would be open to a return trip if this venture is deemed successful.

mcanham@sltrib.com