National

Regional

Taiwan, HK, Macao

Special Coverage

Focus

Society

Profiles

New US ambassador to deepen Sino-US ties

By Li Xiaokun (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-08-22 18:01

The new US ambassador to China Jon Huntsman made his debut with the family in his residence before the press this afternoon, promising to take Sino-US relations to a higher level by the end of this year.

The new U.S. Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman Jr., (C) listens to his wife Mary Kaye (L) speak with his daughters (L-R) Asha, Gracie May and Mary Anne during a media conference at his residence in central Beijing August 22, 2009. President Barack Obama will visit China in mid-November, Huntsman said on Saturday, setting a date for a big summit likely to tackle the global economy, North Korea and climate change. [Agencies]

The former governor of Utah arrived in Beijing with his wife and three of his seven children, including the adopted daughter from Yangzhou, China, late Friday.

Huntsman told reporters in the yard of his residence that he hopes to meet President Hu Jintao next week. According to the arrival statement he issued, he will spend the next few weeks to meet key Chinese government officials as well as business and community leaders.

Full Coverage:  US Officials, China, Chinese Related readings: Huntsman resigns as Utah governor to be ambassador Huntsman gets nod to represent US in China US Senate panel Oks Huntsman as China ambassador Huntsman is missed as he leaves for China as ambassador Great expectation on Huntsman

There are many happening in the Sino-US relations this year, including the 30th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries and US President Barack Obama's scheduled visit in mid November, he said.

"I'm here to tell you that by the end of this year we should be in better shape than ever before in relations between the United States and China, to be able to anticipate a positive tomorrow."

He said his top priority will be "helping lay the foundation for sustainable growth in the region and the global economy", which means more jobs and business opportunities and increased educational and cultural exchanges and overall better mutual understanding of the two societies.

Among other focuses are climate change, energy, environment and security issues like the situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran, he said.

"As President Obama said when he nominated me to this post, China will play a crucial role in confronting all the major challenges facing Asia and the world in the years ahead. The United States intends to engage China across the board to address these common challenges." He added in the statement.

The ambassador also introduced her family to the media in fluent mandarin and invited reporters to enjoy an episode his eldest daughter Mary Anne played on piano in the living room.

Gracie Mei, a nine-year-old daughter adopted in China, told China Daily this is the first time for her to come back and she is very excited. She will attend in a local school.

Huntsman's youngest girl, three-year-old Asha Bharati, accompanied his father during the speech and frequently disrupted him by knocking the microphone. Huntsman's wife said the girl was quite excited to come to Beijing and enjoyed spicy Sichuan food here very much.

"There is a famous saying in Chinese since 2,000 years ago in the Han Dynasty that when the family is happy then all as well under heaven," Huntsman said.

"Now my family are very happy to come here to serve on behalf of the US government."

Huntsman served as Governor of Utah from 2005 until his resignation on August 11 for the new task as the ambassador to China. Both political and academic circles in US and China viewed him as an ideal choice for the position, given his rich experience in Asia and the diplomatic and clean energy fields, as well as the fluent mandarin he speaks.