Gary Locke, an American born Chinese of Guangdong descent, was appointed American ambassador to Beijing on July 27, 2011, following the resignation of Jon Huntsman Jr. who left to run for the 2012 presidential elections. Locke, former United States Secretary of Commerce and expert on trade relations, has continued the same approach carried out as Secretary of Commerce for the Obama Administration. During his September speeches in Beijing, Locke emphasised that China's undervalued currency combined with its restrictive business environment was a threat to American job growth. He warned that a continuation of these behaviours would also damage China's future economic goals.

Gary Locke's September trip to Beijing was met with incredible enthusiasm. His humble actions, including buying his own Starbucks coffee with a coupon, carrying a backpack, and waiting in line at the Great Wall were massively popular among the Chinese people. He marks a new chapter in Chinese-American diplomacy.