Xi's friend Branstad approved as US ambassador

The US Senate overwhelmingly confirmed Iowa Governor Terry Branstad as ambassador to China on Monday, placing a man who is the friend of both countries' presidents in a position to "positively influence the US-China relationship".

Branstad, 70, was confirmed in an 82-13 vote, after the Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved his nomination on May 9. He will resign as Iowa governor on Wednesday and immediately be sworn in as US ambassador to China, the governor's office said in a news release.

Surrounded by staff and family, the gray-haired and mustachioed governor watched the Senate confirm his nomination, he tweeted.