China hoping Locke moves relations forward

BEIJING, March 11 (UPI) -- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu says the country hopes then new U.S. ambassador to China will help improve relations.

U.S. President Barack Obama nominated Commerce Secretary Gary Locke to be the next U.S. ambassador to China, replacing Jon Huntsman.

"The relationship between China and the U.S. is very important. And we hope the new ambassador plays a positive role in advancing the development of Sino-U.S. relations," the state-run Xinhua news agency quoted Jiang as saying.

In nominating Locke Wednesday, Obama said no one was better qualified for the position than Locke, 61, the son and grandson of Chinese immigrants.

Locke's nomination needs U.S. Senate approval. Huntsman is to step down at the end of April.