China would like the new US ambassador to China to play a positive role in promoting the development of Sino-US relations and strengthening the friendship between the two countries.

"The United States has officially sought opinions from the Chinese side through diplomatic channels and China is handling the issue according to relevant procedures and international conventions," Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said at a regular press conference Tuesday.

"We hope that the new appointee will play a positive role and work to the advantage of the development of bilateral relations in a new era and strengthen the friendship between the two peoples," said Ma.

US President Barack Obama named Utah Governor Jon Huntsman Jr. as the new US ambassador to China on May 16.

The key foreign-policy role has been vacant since Clark T. Randt Jr. retired from the position in January.

(Xinhua News Agency May 20, 2009)