Indiana Governor Mike Pence is doing what he once criticized US President Barack for doing – going to China to get jobs.

Pence, who has been mentioned as a possible Republican presidential candidate, was leaving for China on Saturday and is scheduled to return on May 16.

In 2009, when Pence was a member of the House of Representatives, he said at a dinner, "To get this administration to focus on creating jobs, maybe the president should spend less time at the Great Wall of China and more time at Wal-Mart!"

"And where was President Obama this week? In China visiting our money and being lectured on monetary policy by communist dictators," Pence said.

"But seriously, the image is striking: A president of the United States, flying on one more foreign junket, to one more glamorous capital, as our nation continues to struggle in the city and on the farm and unemployment rises to record levels."

A representative for Pence said that the governor's past criticism of Obama was based on the president "not being focused on the economy and jobs at a time when unemployment was at 10.2 percent.''

In a statement announcing his trip, Pence said his visit was a perfect way to create jobs in his state:

"Outside of the United States, China represents the largest economy in the world. Today we see immense potential for the creation of more great jobs for Hoosiers through the strengthening of ties with our Chinese partners."

China is the fifth largest recipient of exports from Indiana, with exports totaling $1.4 billion in 2014, according to state officials.

Pence's office said he will meet with Chinese business executives and government and stop in Beijing Shanghai and Hangzhou. He will also visit the Chinese operations of Indiana-based companies Eli Lilly and Co and Cummins Inc. A reception is scheduled Shanghai for graduates from Indiana universities living in the area

Those traveling with the governor include his wife and the state's secretary of Commerce. The trip's cost is being paid through private donations to the Indiana Economic Development Foundation, Pence's office said.