Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman says he and President Barack Obama believe that the United States' relationship with China is its most important in the world.

The governor said he and Obama discussed how that relationship might be handled.

"We had a good meeting of the minds," Huntsman told reporters Monday, declining to take questions, as he has since his appointment.

Huntsman, 49, is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and has extensive experience in Asia, including serving as ambassador to Singapore in the George H.W. Bush administration.

He and his wife, Mary Kaye, have seven children, including adopted daughters from China and India.

One of the most popular governors in state history, Huntsman won re-election in November with 78 percent of the vote.

Huntsman said he wouldn't resign as governor until the US Senate confirms the appointment.

(Agencies via China Daily May 19, 2009)