Two candidates rumoured to be front-runners for next US ambassador to China

Edwin Lee and Steven Westley are both possible candidates for the post of US ambassador in Beijing

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Edwin Mah Lee (left) and Steven Paul Westley (right) are both considered potential canditates for the job. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Published: 6:00pm, 22 Nov 2013Updated: 7:27pm, 22 Nov 2013

Gary Locke, the US ambassador to China, announced on Wednesday that he will step down early next year, giving rise to a flurry of speculation over who will be the next candidate for the job.

The first Chinese American to take the job, the 63-year-old Locke dealt with several precarious political situations during his two years of service, including a diplomatic controversy over blind activist Chen Guangcheng.

Rumours arose that Locke was returning to the US after having an extra-marrital affair with a woman in Beijing, but in a recent interview with Chinanews.com, Locke's wife, Mona Lee Locke, refuted these claims and explained that her husband's decision had been motivated by a desire to join the rest of his family in Seattle.

Locke's announcement coincided with a visit to China by San Francisco mayor Edwin Mah Lee. Lee has been rumoured to be in line for the post, reported the San Francisco Chronicle, citing “rumours [that] have been circulating at San Francisco City Hall since at least September.”

Lee is the 43rd mayor of San Francisco and the first Asian American to assume the post. Born in Seattle to parents that immigrated to the US from Guangdong, Lee has visited China three times over the past year and has met both previous Chinese President Hu Jintao and current Vice President Li Yuanchao.

Lee’s spokeswoman, Christine Falvey, released a media statement on Thursday refuting the rumours.