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Former US commerce secretary Gary Locke will soon arrive in Beijing to take up his new post as US ambassador to China. The US Senate unanimously confirmed him on Wednesday.

According to the US embassy's official Sina Weibo micro blog, the embassy is busy making preparations for receiving the new envoy and his family.

Locke is expected to assume his post ahead of US Vice-President Joe Biden's trip to China, which will reportedly begin on Aug 17.

Locke, the first Chinese-American to take such an important diplomatic post, succeeds former Utah governor Jon Huntsman. Huntsman left Beijing about three months ago to seek the Republican nomination for president.

Locke grew up in Seattle's public housing projects, worked his way through Yale University, and then became a prosecutor and the governor of Washington State. He had been commerce secretary since 2009.

Locke said China is "a country filled with ultra-modern cities, where hundreds of millions have been lifted out of poverty. The administration welcomes a strong, prosperous and successful China".

Questions:

1: When will Gary Locke arrive in China?

2: Who will Locke replace?

3: What is Locke’s ethnic background, and what makes it a first for his new job?

Answers:

1. He’s expected to arrive in China before the visit of US Vice President Joe Biden on Aug 17.

2. Locke will replace Jon Huntsman.

3. Locke is the first Chinese-American to serve in this post.

（中国日报网英语点津 编辑：Julie）

About the broadcaster:

Renee Haines is an editor and broadcaster at China Daily. Renee has more than 15 years of experience as a newspaper editor, radio station anchor and news director, news-wire service reporter and bureau chief, magazine writer, book editor and website consultant. She came to China from the United States.