Locke vows to raise rights concerns with China

WASHINGTON — Gary Locke, the nominee to be the next US ambassador to China, promised Thursday he would be a "forceful" advocate for human rights while seeking broad cooperation with Beijing.Locke, the commerce secretary who would be the first Chinese American ambassador to Beijing, told his Senate confirmation hearing that he was troubled by "the well-documented deterioration" of human rights in China."The protection and promotion of liberty and freedom are fundamental tenets of American foreign policy. If confirmed as ambassador, I will be a forceful advocate for promoting the respect of universal rights in China," he said, according to his prepared testimony.He pointed to the case of leading Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, whose social commentary had been largely tolerated but who was seized as Beijing mounts its most sweeping crackdown on dissent in years."The detention of artist and activist Ai Weiwei raises many issues about China's commitment to building a society based on the rule of law," Locke said."As my predecessors have, I will raise human rights issues and individual cases with Chinese government officials at the highest levels," he said.Locke, pointing to his work in President Barack Obama's cabinet, said he would also fight for US businesses by pressing for protection of intellectual property and for the right of foreign firms to compete for government contracts.But Locke said he hoped for cooperation with China on a range of issues including over nuclear tensions with North Korea and Iran and on fighting climate change."Should I be confirmed, I will work to build the positive, cooperative and comprehensive relationship that President Obama and Chinese President Hu (Jintao) have agreed our two countries should aspire to," Locke said.Locke would replace Jon Huntsman, a Chinese-speaking former governor of Utah, who resigned as ambassador as he mulls challenging Obama for the presidency in the 2012 White House race.While many US lawmakers are critical of China, Locke is personally popular in Congres

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