New US envoy to China 'excited' to serve

Terry Branstad, the new United States ambassador to China, said on Wednesday that he looks forward to forging stronger ties between the two countries, as well as helping to arrange US President Donald Trump's visit to China later this year.

"We have had a great relationship with the Chinese people," he said in a meeting with reporters at his official residence in Beijing. He said he looks forward to being an important emissary between President Xi Jinping and the Trump administration.

Branstad, whose appointment was confirmed in May, said: "I know President Trump intends to come over to China sometime later this year. And I want to play an important role in helping make those arrangements.