Weight of high expectations

Gary Locke as ambassador will be under double-edged pressure to build bridges between the US and China

US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke is almost certain to become the first Chinese-American to serve as the US ambassador to China now that the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has unanimously approved his nomination. Though the full Senate must still vote on his nomination, Locke should not have any worries about its outcome.

Since US President Barack Obama nominated him in March, Locke's role as US ambassador to China has aroused a great deal of speculation both in China and the United States. That Locke, as US secretary of commerce, is one of the most important cabinet members to be appointed ambassador to China shows the importance the Obama administration attaches to the country. People's interpretation of his appointment differs widely, though.