President Obama appoints Commerce Secretary Locke as U.S. Ambassador to China

[News_Editor]

President Obama appoints Commerce Secretary Locke as U.S. Ambassador to China

2011-03-10 00:57:13 GMT+7 (ICT)

WASHINGTON D.C. (BNO NEWS) -- United States President Barack Obama on Wednesday announced the appointment of Commerce Secretary Gary Locke as the new U.S. Ambassador to China.

Locke will replace current Ambassador to China, Jon Huntsman, who decided to step down. The current Commerce Secretary has distinguished himself as one of the Obama Administration's most respected and admired public servants.

"More than 100 years ago, Gary's grandfather left China on a steamship bound for America, where he worked as a domestic servant in Washington State. A century later, his grandson will return to China as America's top diplomat," said President Obama.

As Commerce Secretary, Locke led an historic number of trade missions that helped promote American businesses and support American jobs last year. He has also overseen an increase in U.S. exports, and particularly exports to China.

Locke has played a key element in Obama's National Export Initiative which promotes America's businesses and American exports all around the world. The U.S. recently signed trade agreements with China that will support 235,000 jobs in the North American nation.

"Gary earned the trust of business leaders across America by listening to their concerns, making it easier for them to export their goods abroad, and dramatically reducing the time it takes to get a patent. I know that American companies will be able to count on him to represent their interests in front of China's top leaders," added the U.S. leader.

Obama remarked that the U.S.-China relationship is one of the most critical of the 21st century as the country led by President Hu Jintao is one of the fastest-growing economies worldwide.

"I'm deeply humbled and honored to be chosen as the next ambassador to China," said Locke. "I'm eager to assume this new position and manage one of America's most critical and complex diplomatic, economic, and strategic relationships."

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-03-10

[Jingthing]

An incredibly brilliant pick and a timely one. The USA-China relationship is vital to global prosperity and peace. With continued wonderful moves like this, tea bag people, get used to the idea of Obama as a TWO TERM president.

Edited March 9, 2011 by Jingthing