VOA标准英语2011--Obama Nominates New US Ambassador to Chi

President Barack Obama on Wednesday named his Commerce Secretary, Gary Locke, to be the new U.S. Ambassador to China. If confirmed, Locke will be the first American of Chinese ancestry¹ to serve as the nation's top liaison² in Beijing.
The president said that as the grandson of a Chinese immigrant to the United States, Locke is the right person to advance ties between the two countries.
"More than 100 years ago, Gary's grandfather left China on a steamboat bound for America, where he worked as a domestic servant in Washington state. A century later, his grandson will return to China as America's top diplomat³."
Locke said he is eager to begin the assignment. "I am going back to the birthplace of my grandfather, my father, my mom and her side of the family, and I will be doing so as a devoted⁴ and passionate⁵ advocate for America - the country where I was born and raised."
Locke's appointment to the post requires confirmation⁶ by the U.S. Senate.
He would replace outgoing Ambassador Jon Huntsman, a Republican who might seek to challenge Obama in the 2012 presidential race.
China is the world's most populous⁷ country and has one of the fastest-growing economies. Relations between the United States and China often have been strained over human rights and economic issues.
As he introduced Locke, the Obama called the U.S.-China relationship "one of the most critical of the 21st century."
"Over the last two years, we worked hard to build a relationship that serves our national interest - addressing global security issues and expanding opportunities for American companies and American workers. Continued cooperation between our countries will be good for America, it will be good for China and it will be good for the world," said the president.
One of Obama's economic priorities is to dramatically increase U.S. exports, especially to China. Locke said he has worked toward that end and would continue to do so in his new post.
"As Commerce Secretary, I have helped open up foreign markets for American businesses so they can create more jobs right here in America. And I am eager to continue that work in China and to help you, Mr. President, manage one of America's most critical and complex diplomatic, economic and strategic relationships."
The president said U.S. companies will be able to count on the new ambassador to represent their interests in front of China's top leaders.

1 ancestry   

n.祖先，家世

参考例句：

• Their ancestry settled the land in 1856.他们的祖辈1856年在这块土地上定居下来。
• He is an American of French ancestry.他是法国血统的美国人。

2 liaison   

n.联系，（未婚男女间的）暖昧关系，私通

参考例句：

• She acts as a liaison between patients and staff.她在病人与医护人员间充当沟通的桥梁。
• She is responsible for liaison with researchers at other universities.她负责与其他大学的研究人员联系。

3 diplomat   

n.外交官，外交家；能交际的人，圆滑的人

参考例句：

• The diplomat threw in a joke, and the tension was instantly relieved.那位外交官插进一个笑话，紧张的气氛顿时缓和下来。
• He served as a diplomat in Russia before the war.战前他在俄罗斯当外交官。

4 devoted   

adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的

参考例句：

• He devoted his life to the educational cause of the motherland.他为祖国的教育事业贡献了一生。
• We devoted a lengthy and full discussion to this topic.我们对这个题目进行了长时间的充分讨论。

5 passionate   

adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的

参考例句：

• He is said to be the most passionate man.据说他是最有激情的人。
• He is very passionate about the project.他对那个项目非常热心。

6 confirmation   

n.证实，确认，批准

参考例句：

• We are waiting for confirmation of the news.我们正在等待证实那个消息。
• We need confirmation in writing before we can send your order out.给你们发送订购的货物之前，我们需要书面确认。

7 populous   

adj.人口稠密的，人口众多的

参考例句：

• London is the most populous area of Britain.伦敦是英国人口最稠密的地区。
• China is the most populous developing country in the world.中国是世界上人口最多的发展中国家。