8 Things to Know About Trump's Ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman

By Michael Gryboski, Editor Friday, March 10, 2017

3. He was ambassador to China and Singapore

U.S. Republican presidential candidate former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman (L) stands with his daughter Gracie Mei before his Lincoln Douglas style debate with fellow Republican candidate and former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich at St. Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire December 12, 2011. | (Photo: REUTERS/Brian Snyder)

If Huntsman is confirmed as the new ambassador to Russia, this will not be the first time he has served as an ambassador on behalf of the U.S. government.

In the past, Huntsman has served as U.S. ambassador first to Singapore and then later to China under the administration of President Barack Obama.

"Huntsman's breadth of experience in Asia has been developed over a lifetime of interest and involvement. He has previously lived in Asia three times and speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese," noted the Beijing embassy's website.

"He is a founding director of the Pacific Council on International Policy and has served on various boards such as the Brookings Institute Asia Policy Board, the Center for Strategic and International Studies Pacific Forum, the Asia Society in New York and the National Bureau of Asian Research."