LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said Tuesday that he will visit China next week to promote friendship, trade, tourism and investment.

The mayor said Los Angeles is the most diversified city in the United States with 46 percent of its population foreign born and it has the largest Chinese American population. It is also China's number one trading partner compared to other US cities.

"We are uniquely ready for continuing to grow trade, tourism and investment with China," said the mayor at a press conference held at the official residence of Chinese Consul General Qiu Shaofang.

Since 2006, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Los Angeles rose by 78 percent increase. The number grew by 40 percent over the past year, said Villaraigosa.

He also mentioned that three daily non-stop flights have been added this year between Chinese cities and Los Angeles.

The mayor said he will meet with a number of government officials and businessmen in China.

Villaraigosa said he will sign an agreement with the Association of Chinese Mayors and will invite them to come to Los Angeles for a visit next May, adding that through exchanges between cities the relationship between the two countries can be strengthened.

Villaraigosa will visit Beijing, Shanghai and Chongqing during his one-week China trip.

Villaraigosa is trying to turn Los Angeles into a global commercial hub in the Pacific Rim.