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BEIJING — U.S. Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman hosted a delegation of Utahns at his personal residence Monday evening. The group of government and business leaders, which includes Gov. Gary Herbert, is in the country as part of a trade mission.
Related:
Utah forging trade ties in China despite 'complicated' relationship
Leading a trade mission to China, Gov. Gary Herbert has consistently told government and business leaders that Utah and the world's most populous nation have much to share.Before going over to Huntsman's personal residence, KSL News met the former Utah governor at his office in the U.S. Embassy — a huge facility that's the second largest U.S. embassy in the world.
In his public office, a prominent Chinese photographer, whom Huntsman described as the "Andy Warhol of China," took Huntsman's portrait. That photo will soon hang on the wall alongside that of a distinguished lineup of former U.S. ambassadors to China, which includes former President George H.W. Bush, who was an envoy to China in the 1970s.
"There's enormous professional satisfaction in the job. There's no more exciting place to be than right in the middle of the U.S.-China relationship," Huntsman told KSL. "It's a front row seat to history. You're able to shape and mold a fundamental relationship that is going to be extremely important for the United States."
We'll have much more from that our extended interview with Ambassador John Huntsman, including his thoughts on his political future.
At his personal residence, Ambassador and MaryKay Huntsman welcomed Gov. Herbert, members of Utah's trade mission, and several Chinese officials to a reception and dinner hosted by Zions Bank.
Huntsman was in his element, speaking and joking in fluent Mandarin, telling stories of President Richard Nixon coming to China in 1972 and shaking Chinese leader Zhou En Lai's hand there at the ambassador's residence, and describing his family's time there as a "tutorial."
Herbert got a big laugh when alluding to Huntsman's return to the United States later this month, saying "Who knows what the future will hold? We hear a lot of things back in Utah."
Huntsman, who has purchased a home in Washington, D.C., is reportedly considering a run for the Republican nomination for president.
Email: jdaley@ksl.com
