California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger pledged on Tuesday to promote trade with Asia, particularly with China, Japan and South Korea.

The governor said he will lead a trade mission to China, Japan and South Korea in September to promote California and bolster trade relations.

The mission will focus on high speed rail, California products and services, investment into California, and travel and tourism, he said.

"China, Japan and South Korea represent three of California's most important trading partners and I am looking forward to visiting these countries to learn more about their high speed rail products, services and financing and to promote California's people, products and places," said Schwarzenegger.

"I promised when I became governor that a top priority would be promoting this state around the world, and this mission will play a vital role in keeping up trade relations and advancing California's trade priorities with our partners in Asia."

China, Japan and South Korea are among California's top five trading partners. In 2009, California exported more than 120 billion dollars, 26.5 billion of which went to China, Japan and South Korea. Exports to these three trading partners are continuing to grow, with exports of 7.5 billion just through the first quarter of 2010.