The diplomatic wisdom of incoming US Secretary of State John Kerry is expected to improve China-US relations, as the Obama administration seeks to rebalance its Asian strategy during the president’s second term. President Barack Obama on Saturday nominated Senator Kerry, the son of a diplomat, as his next secretary of state to replace Hillary Clinton, and commentators say that given his track record and reputation, his appointment is almost certain to be confirmed.

Among the challenges facing Kerry will be to improve ties between China and the US, which have worsened since Washington’s rebalancing policy in the Asia-Pacific region, experts said. “China-US ties have deteriorated through a series of high-profile measures by the US aimed at rebalancing, especially the over-emphasis of military action, which triggered great antipathy from China,” said Ruan Zongze, a US studies researcher and the deputy director of the China Institute of International Studies.