CCTV NEWS has confirmed with the American embassy that the American ambassador to China Gary Locke, will be leaving his post early next year. The embassy said in a letter that Gary Locke informed President Barack Obama of his decision to resign to rejoin his family in Seattle when they met earlier this month.
Locke took up the post in August 2011 and was the first Chinese-American to hold it. He said in his letter that he is proud of what the US Embassy and Consulates in China have accomplished.
He highlighted increasing US exports to China, promoting Chinese investment in the US and reduced waiting times for a visa for Chinese visitors to three to five days from highs of over three months.