China Accepts New U.S. Ambassador

China has accepted former Sen. Jim Sasser of Tennessee as the new U.S. ambassador in a move that improves relations with the United States, Secretary of State Warren Christopher said Friday.

It is a step toward a summit meeting this fall between President Clinton and Chinese President Jiang Zemin. That would put their dialogue on the highest possible level, completing a recovery from an alarming slide only a few months ago.

The White House said Clinton would immediately send Sasser’s nomination to the Senate.