Huntsman a step closer to ambassadorship

WASHINGTON — Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. needed very little of his diplomatic skill to move through one of the most critical stages of his Chinese ambassadorship confirmation.

He faced only a few questions Thursday from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee during his portion of the 1½-hour confirmation hearing. The questions included one from Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., suggesting China's exclusion of Mormon missionaries represents a double standard by the United States toward human rights.

Overall, the committee appeared supportive of Utah's governor. But a committee vote is not likely until Tuesday, at the earliest. It takes a vote of the full Senate to confirm a presidential nominee, and Huntsman is hoping that will happen before Congress recesses on Aug. 7.

That's likely to occur, said both Utah Sens. Orrin Hatch and Bob Bennett. If so, Huntsman said he plans to be in China in early or mid-August. He has said he will resign once he is confirmed so Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert can officially take over as governor.

In an abbreviated opening statement, Huntsman said it was a difficult decision for him and his family "to leave a state and a job that we love," and he thanked Utahns for their support and understanding. One of his top priorities in his new post, the governor said, will be repairing the global economy, in part by encouraging new technologies to combat climate change, as well as pushing China on human rights.

Webb, who presided over the hearing, noted that Huntsman had served a mission for the LDS Church in Taiwan, but China does not allow Mormon missionaries. Webb said he has long been concerned that the United States is not consistent with what it expects of China compared to other nations, such as Myanmar.

Huntsman answered without referring to the LDS Church, saying he wanted to "somehow regularize and systematize the way in which we talk about human rights, the way in which we talk about religious freedom," the rule of law, free speech and assembly, and the flow of information in China.

The governor told the committee that human rights "must be a central part of our ongoing discussions" with Chinese leaders, and he hoped to report back to Congress on his progress.

Neither Hatch nor Bennett said they expected Huntsman would be able to open up China to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints missionary program.

"It is a country that changes very slowly," Hatch told the Deseret News. "I think he will, over time, be able to soften some of their cultural aspect. I hope he can. But that's not going to be his major thrust. His major thrust is going to be to represent this administration."