Shen Dingli: Gary Locke’s New Mission and Challenges

Gary Locke has been approved by the U.S. Senate and sworn in as U.S. ambassador to China. Beijing, Washington D.C. and the rest of the world are all focusing on what Gary Locke will bring to the U.S.-China relationship in this position. We all congratulate him as ambassador to China at this crucial historic moment, and truly hope that he will make positive contributions to facilitate bilateral communication and cooperation.

The normalization of U.S.-China bilateral relations indicates that the policy implemented by the two countries in actively and comprehensively engaging and cooperating with each other contributes to both parties’ economic growth and regional, as well as global, stability. The rational, benign interaction developed by the two countries deeply impacts billions of people across the Pacific Ocean.

The consistent and positive development of the U.S.-China relationship is rooted in the increasing understanding of their common interests, which is inseparable from the support of both governments and people. The ambassadors for each country assume weighty responsibility in communicating and facilitating understanding between the two countries.

At this crucial moment where both the U.S. and China are facing industrial upgrading and an economic boost, and also the critical moment of globalization facing a series of challenges, the U.S. appointed Gary Locke as ambassador to China. At the beginning of the second decade of the 21st century, Gary Locke is shouldering the historic mission of continuing to stabilize and deepen the development of the U.S.-China relationship.

Ambassador Locke has experience both in America’s local and federal governments, and has promoted cooperation with China in a similar position. Whether strengthening economic and trade ties with China as the governor in Washington, or advocating for stable economic and trade growth of the two countries, all his work has been acknowledged and respected by the two countries.

Ambassador Locke is very experienced in pushing forward communication and collaboration with China, which can be seen as a positive asset of his competency for the new position. Ambassador Locke is the chief official representative of one country sent to another country. We believe that Ambassador Locke will fulfill his mission and be an excellent ambassador in facilitating bilateral relations using his outstanding leadership skills.

What Locke is facing is not only the unprecedented expanse and intensity of U.S.-China communication, but also the common understanding of two countries’ governments and people in impelling bilateral cooperative partnerships. These are solid foundations for Locke as the chief diplomat to China. Thus, he’ll start a promising career.

At the same time, during each country’s economic and financial development, as well as bilateral economic trade development, the two countries are facing many opportunities and challenges. The appropriateness of both countries’ treatment decides whether the two countries’ economies as well as the global economy will progress with stability. Therefore, everyone is looking forward to seeing how Locke will enhance U.S.-China interaction and collaboration.

At a time when trans-Pacific power is changing, the U.S. government’s uneasiness and anxiety is deepened, especially in areas related to regional security and global dominance. As the U.S. ambassador to China, how to defend America’s interests as well as seek a win-win result for both the U.S. and China will truly test Locke’s ability and wisdom.

U.S.-China competition and cooperation are more complicated than ever before, so effective communication becomes more important. The appointment of Locke shows the U.S. government’s attention to the situation. Some noticed that Locke’s Chinese background may be helpful to U.S.-China interaction; we also believe that the dependent interest relationship will positively influence his work.

We know deeply that the development of any two countries’ relationship depends on not just the differences and similarities of their core interests, but also on bilateral active communication and mutual respect. China is willing to ameliorate U.S.-China communications and facilitate mutual respect with ambassador Locke, and also make efforts in enhancing the bilateral relationship.

The author is Deputy Dean and Professor in the Institute of International Studies at Fudan University.