Alberta's Premier Ed Stelmach will arrive in China today to try to boost trade relations with Asia. He wants to focus on the growing business potential of China and feels that it is important to increases trade ties with China.

He joins the premiers of Saskatchewan and British Columbia who are also trying to boost trade and investment and will be in Shanghai, Beijing and go to Tokyo next week.

Stelmach stressed that his province is looking to build trade relations with China and Japan. He was talking to reporters in Vancouver on Friday before catching the flight across the Pacific.

Edmonton will also aim to establish a new office in the city of Shanghai. The province of Alberta currently has five offices in Asia, including Beijing. Other trade offices in Asia are located at Hong Kong, Tokyo, Taipei and Seoul.

As per the Government estimates, the visit will cost more than $100,000 which will include travel costs and expenses for events and promotions.

The trip comes after an oil deal saw China Investment Corp. take up a stake in Penn West Energy Trust's development in the Peace River area. The Chinese Company will invest more than $800 million dollars to secure a 45% stake in the project. The Premier maintained that the project will lead to creation of many jobs in Alberta.