RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell has announced plans for a springtime trade mission to China and Japan almost as an afterthought on a monthly radio call-in program.

In the closing seconds of his "Ask The Governor" appearance on Richmond's WRVA and the Virginia News Network, McDonnell said he planned to spend the next few weeks reviewing 900 bills passed by the General Assembly. Then, in the final words of the Thursday morning broadcast, he added, "I'm going on a trade mission to China and Japan."

McDonnell spokesman Tucker Martin says the governor will be on a trade mission that will also include Hong Kong with a stop in California from April 10 to April 26.