Mayor Peter Carlisle is headed to China for a conference.

Carlise’s office says he left Honolulu Monday to attend the Chengdu 2012 China International Friendship Cities conference.

He will then travel to Washington, D.C., next week for meetings with the Federal Transit Administration and others regarding Honolulu’s rail transit project. He will be accompanied by Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation officials and City Council Chair Ernie Martin.

Carlisle is to return on Sept. 21.