U.S. President Barack Obama on Saturday named Utah Governor Jon Huntsman Jr. to be the next U.S. ambassador to China. "This ambassadorship is as important as any in the world because the United States will best be able to deal effectively with the global challenges of the 21st century by working in concert with China," Obama said at a White House ceremony with Huntsman at his side. Huntsman, 49, served as deputy U.S. trade representative in the Bush administration from 2001-2004, and was also U.S. ambassador to Singapore from 1992 to 1994 when Bush's father was president. "We're working with the government of China to stem the financial crisis that has devastated economies around the world and help lay a foundation for sustainable growth and lasting prosperity on both sides of the Pacific," Obama said.
