US’ Locke becomes first Chinese-American envoy

beco-ming the first Chinese-American to hold the prestigious and difficult diplomatic post.
Locke, whose grandfather came from China to the United States on a steamboat, promised during his smooth confirmation hearings to be a forceful advocate for human rights and for US businesses. The new envoy (61), succeeds Republican former Utah governor Jon Huntsman, who left Beijing some three months ago and has mounted a run against former boss president Barack Obama in the November 2012 elections. Locke takes over at a time of tensions in US-China relations, which have been fraught over a range of disputes including on Beijing’s export-driven economic policies, growing military spending and human rights record.

And US lawmakers, locked in a angry debate over cash-strapped Washington’s debt, have increasingly painted China’s status as the country’s largest foreign creditor as a source of concern. Senators approved Locke by voice vote. – AFP.