Calif. gov. in Asia as salesman-in-chief

The Golden State's economy is the eighth-largest in the world but it faces a budget deficit of $19 billion and Schwarzenegger was in Japan Tuesday riding on a bullet train similar to the governor would like to build between Los Angeles and San Francisco with the offer of a $40 billion loan from Japan, the BBC reported Wednesday.

The Chinese Ministry of Railways and the Bay Area Council also signed a memorandum of understanding for investing in California's future rail network.

Stressing the trip was not on the taxpayer's dime, Schwarzenegger talked up California's picture postcard virtues of surfing, skiing and golf as well as its technology centers and wineries.

"California is uniquely positioned to take advantage of the exploding Asian markets. China, Japan and Korea... represent 1.5 billion population. This is 1.5 billion potential consumers for our products."

Schwarzenegger said he would serve as "salesman-in-chief" during his trip which would include China and South Korea, the last stop on the trade mission.

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