Locke praises probable successor

Outgoing US Ambassador Gary Locke expressed his confidence in Senator Max Baucus, who has reportedly been chosen as the next ambassador to China.

Locke, who is leaving the post early next year, said on Friday that he believes Baucus will make a very good ambassador and "has a deep interest in China and has traveled to China on many occasions".

"He understands many complex issues, including the US-China relationship. If President Obama nominates him, I think he will be a very good ambassador," Locke told China Daily on the sidelines of the 24th Session of the China-US Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade in Beijing.

He also said it is still too early to tell how the tapering of the US quantitative easing policy would affect China.

"It all depends on the exact timing and how the easing of the Fed policy's on QE can actually be implemented," he said.

Locke said he feels very proud of what he has been able to accomplish in China during the two and a half years, during which he said the US-China relationship has "turned a new chapter", and the trade relationship has been enhanced substantially.

"There is more Chinese investment into the US and more US exports to China, also more exchanges among our students, artists and people. I think it's a good time to leave."