Sressing his pride of having Chinese heritage, the United States Ambassador to China Gary Locke reiterated this morning the importance of a closer and stronger relationship between the world's two largest economies, while shrugging off the wild online attention his simple and humble appearance drew after his arrival in China as the ambassador.

"The US and China have much to offer and we should work together," Locke said in a speech at a breakfast meeting with members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai. "A good political, economic and cultural relationship is of immense importance to both countries and also to the entire world."

Despite the countries' souring relations due to the US arms sales to Taiwan in September and the passage of a bill in the Senate aimed at pressuring a stronger yuan on Tuesday, Locke seemed to be optimistic.

"The relationship goes up and down. But looking back into the past 30 years, the bilateral relationship has grown stronger and stronger. There are disagreements but we should look at the overall picture," Locke said.

Expressing a wish to enhance economic collaboration with China, Locke said the White House and Congress were still committed to free trade and a One-China policy, and he believed a stronger and wealthier China would benefit the US back home.

"We encourage Chinese trade and investment," Locke said. "Growing Chinese demand for American products will help to create more jobs in the US ... and we are trying to unlock the full potential of the US-China economic relationship by becoming more open and appealing. The export control reform is underway although it may take a few more years, and we are also trying to remove barriers for new investment."

Locke has a good track record in promoting US exports to China. Before becoming the ambassador, Locke served as the Secretary of Commerce where he presided over a 17-percent increase in US exports between 2009 and 2010, while exports to China saw a 32-percent increase. He was also deeply involved in the Obama Administration's export control reform that makes US companies more competitive by easing their licensing burden for exports to partners and allies.

Since his arrival in China as ambassador on August 15, Locke has caught Chinese media and public attention for his simple and humble manner in public. Pictures of Locke lining up to buy coffee at the Seattle airport before leaving for China, and carrying his own luggage while sitting with his family in an ordinary business vehicle instead of a luxury sedan when arriving in Beijing, triggered wild online discussions of different styles compared with some officials in China.

"I am not into teaching, or lecturing, or suggesting how Chinese officials should behave themselves. I am who I am," Locke said in response to the last question at the meeting, noting that he had not informed any press or even noticed people taking photos of him then.

"I am surprised to see the pictures creating such interest among Chinese people. But it's just the way we are," Locke said.

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