China welcomes new US ambassador

China hopes Iowa Governor Terry Branstad will contribute more to the healthy and stable development of the Sino- US relations as he takes up the post of ambassador to Beijing, a spokesperson said on Tuesday.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying made the comment after the US Senate confirmed Branstad, the longest- serving governor in the US, as ambassador to China on Monday.

“Mr. Branstad has long worked to promote the exchanges and cooperation at local levels between China and the US. We hope he will play a bigger role in enhancing the exchanges and understanding between the two peoples as ambassador to China,” Hua said.

The US Senate voted overwhelmingly on Monday to confirm Branstad, one of the US politicians most closely acquainted with China, as President Donald Trump’s ambassador to Beijing.

Branstad assured lawmakers during his confirmation hearing he would take a firm line with the Chinese government on issues from North Korea to trade disputes and human rights, despite years working closely with Chinese officials.

Branstad, 70, served as the governor of Iowa in 1983- 99, and again since 2011. He has nurtured a close relationship with China and has visited China multiple times.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called Branstad an “old friend” after decades of dealings on agricultural trade during his long career in politics in Iowa, an important farming state.