Hartford – Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is visiting China this week to take part in the World Economic Forum Summit and explore “economic opportunities” for the state.

 Malloy, the first Connecticut governor to visit China since William O’Neil in 1987, also plans to visit Beijing and Jinan, the capital city of the Shandong province, Connecticut’s sister province. The forum summit is happening in Tianjin.

 Catherine Smith, commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development, joined the governor. The trip, paid for by the state and announced last month, is expected to cost less than $20,000.

“I want to use this opportunity to do two things: convince Chinese companies that Connecticut is a great place to establish a presence in the United States, and let the Chinese know that Connecticut-based companies are ready and willing to do business with them,” Malloy said in a statement prior to departure.

 The governor is scheduled to return Sept. 16.