Mayor Vincent Gray heads to China on economic mission

Washington, D.C.’s Mayor Vincent Gray is heading to China for a weeklong trade mission, making it his first overseas trip as mayor. The mayor will depart on Saturday, landing in Beijing, Shanghai. Economic development officials will accompany Gray on his mission along with 16 private sector and academia, who have paid their own way.

Mayor Gray’s trip comes amid guilty pleas last month by two campaign aides, giving him an opening to focus more on the D.C. economy. Officials believe the trip to China will be an opportunity to build more business for the District.