Councilman David Ryu, 4th District, has joined Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and Council members Joe Buscaino, 15th District, and Paul Krekorian, 2nd District, on an official trip to Japan, Vietnam, South Korea and Hong Kong to discuss trade and reaffirm the strong economic and cultural relationships between Los Angeles and the Asian nations.

The Los Angeles delegation left for Tokyo on July 23, and will return from Hong Kong on Wednesday, Aug. 1.

“Los Angeles and the countries of East Asia share a rich and enduring friendship,” Ryu said. “Asian Americans helped build this city, and today make up some of the largest and most dynamic communities in Los Angeles. As a Los Angeles city council member and a proud Asian-American, I’m honored to join Mayor Garcetti and my colleagues on this trip to reaffirm our economic and cultural ties with East Asia.”

Their first stop is in Tokyo. They will then head to Seoul, South Korea, followed by Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and finish the trip in Hong Kong. The Los Angeles delegation also includes officials from Los Angeles World Airports, the Los Angeles Business Coalition and more. While there, the Los Angeles delegation will meet with business leaders and local officials, including the prime minister of South Korea, Lee Nak-yeon, the mayor of Seoul, Park Won-soon and U.S. Ambassador Henry Harris. The five cities represent some of the largest trading partners with Los Angeles.

“Los Angeles is America’s gateway to Asia and the Pacific. Our port accounts for hundreds of billions of dollars in international trade, 93 percent of which comes from East Asia,” Ryu said. “Now perhaps more than ever, it is vital that we strengthen these ties, and build upon our friendship with the nations of East Asia.”