The U.S. ambassador to China says he is stepping down early next year to rejoin his family in the United States.
Gary Locke said in a statement Tuesday he informed President Barack Obama of his decision earlier this month.
The 63-year-old Locke is the first Chinese-American to serve as the U.S. ambassador to Beijing.
Locke said it has been the "honor of a lifetime" to serve as ambassador, a position he has held since 2011.
He said he is proud of the accomplishments made "on behalf of the American people and for U.S.-China relations."