WASHINGTON–The U.S. Senate on Wednesday confirmed Gary Locke, the former Commerce Department secretary, as ambassador to China.
Mr. Locke, a former governor of Washington state, will be the first Chinese-American to serve as ambassador to China, a major trading partner. He succeeds Jon Huntsman, who resigned to run for the U.S. presidency in 2012.
As Commerce Secretary. Mr. Locke has asked Beijing to open its economy further to foreign investment.
The Senate confirmed President Barack Obama's nominee by voice vote without debate.
