US Senate confirms Obama nominee for ambassador to China (August 7, 2009, AP)
The Senate on Friday confirmed Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman as ambassador to China, giving the Republican the task of nurturing a sometimes shaky relationship that President Barack Obama sees as crucial to solving many of the world's most difficult crises. Huntsman's confirmation sends to Beijing a fluent Chinese speaker with deep social, government and business ties to the region. It also allows Obama to bring into his administration a popular Republican leader seen as a potential challenger for the presidency in 2012.
The Senate on Friday confirmed Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman as ambassador to China, giving the Republican the task of nurturing a sometimes shaky relationship that President Barack Obama sees as crucial to solving many of the world's most difficult crises. Huntsman's confirmation sends to Beijing a fluent Chinese speaker with deep social, government and business ties to the region. It also allows Obama to bring into his administration a popular Republican leader seen as a potential challenger for the presidency in 2012.
