US President Barack Obama is expected to nominate his commerce secretary, Gary Locke, as the next ambassador to China, The Washington Post reported late Monday, citing unnamed administration sources..
The China position is currently vacant after ambassador Jon Huntsman, a Republican, resigned with a view to making a bid for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012, dpa reported.
Locke, a Chinese-American, was the first Asian American to serve as a US governor, in the north-western state of Washington. The Post said he is "well-regarded" in the Chinese business community.
The nomination, which must be approved by the US Senate, is expected to be announced on Tuesday.