Editorials

New US ambassador

(China Daily)
Updated: 2011-03-11 08:00

US President Barack Obama nominated Commerce Secretary Gary Locke to be the next US ambassador to China on Wednesday. If approved by US Congress, Locke will become the first Chinese American to assume the position.

It is interesting to observe that media on both sides have so far endorsed the decision as a wise move, one that could have a significant impact on the smooth sailing of bilateral ties.

While Locke's cultural connection could facilitate better communication and mutual understanding between Washington and Beijing, his experience in leading the commerce ministry will also be valuable in promoting bilateral trade ties, which is the cornerstone of Sino-US relations.

Many have assumed Locke's nomination to be a positive move by Washington to advance bilateral ties. But more constructive steps are still needed to steer one of the world's most important relationships onto stable and harmonious terrain.

During President Hu Jintao's state visit to the United States in January, the two leaders charted the course for the further development of bilateral ties. Hu and Obama vowed to "work together to build a cooperative partnership". To translate this strong political will into action, the two sides should take concrete steps and use their utmost sincerity.

For Beijing's part, it has kept a special niche for ties with Washington by always looking on the bright side of the relationship. Since Hu's US visit, Chinese officials have on many occasions applauded the achievements and expressed good faith in keeping the momentum going.

Speaking on the sidelines of the ongoing National People's Congress on Monday, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi positively assessed Sino-US relations, believing them to be in good health at the moment.

Yang also revealed a busy bilateral agenda that includes US Vice-President Joe Biden's visit to China in the summer, Vice-President Xi Jinping's visit to Washington, and the inauguration of the third China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue.

The two need to build a consensus on the dynamics in bilateral trade, political and military ties. They should handle sensitive issues and their differences with "cooperative partnership" always in mind.

The Taiwan issue stands out as the thorniest issue. Sino-US relations took a turn for the worst last year when Washington approved its multi-billion-dollar arms sale to Taiwan, an inalienable part of China.

The US should stop selling arms to Taiwan and take concrete action to support the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations.

(China Daily 03/11/2011 page9)