(Ecns.cn) – Gary Locke, the first Chinese-American US ambassador to China, who arrived in Beijing Friday night, pledged to build a cooperative China-US relationship at a press conference Sunday.
As his first public appearance as US ambassador, Locke, with his wife, Mona, and their children, Emily, Dylan, and Madeline met the press on Sunday afternoon at the US ambassador residence in Beijing.
"My wife Mona and our children are very excited to move here in Beijing, to build new friendship with the people of United States and the people of China", he said to the press.
In a brief speech, Locke pledged to strengthen the China-US relationship. He promised to build a "positive, cooperative and comprehensive relationship between the two countries.
"The United States and China have a profoundly important and complex diplomatic and economic bilateral relationship," Locke said, "it's a great promise for expanded cooperation, and I will work with the Chinese government to fulfill that promise."
Asked for his opinion on the recent US debt issue, Locke said the US is a safe and secure place for investment.
"We are committed to get our fiscal health in order," he said.
Gary Locke was nominated by US President Barack Obama to succeed Jon Huntsman as US ambassador to China in March this year. He is also the first Chinese American to hold the post.
Gary Locke was born into an immigrant family in 1950. He is the former governor of Washington state and US commerce secretary.
His arrival in China will also be followed by a visit by US Vice President Joe Biden later this month.
