Biden picks Caroline Kennedy as US ambassador to Australia, figure skater Michelle Kwan as Belize envoy
- The only surviving child of John F. Kennedy previously served as ambassador to Japan under Barack Obama
- Kwan, who was born in California to parents from Hong Kong, is a five-time world champion figure skater, and has served in public diplomacy roles
He also nominated Michelle Kwan to be US ambassador to Belize, the biggest diplomatic role yet for the figure skating legend and five-time world champion, who was born in California to parents from Hong Kong.
John F. Kennedy’s sole surviving child, who will need Senate confirmation, previously served as ambassador to Japan under president Barack Obama from 2013 to 2017.
The nomination, which had long been rumoured, comes nearly a year into Biden’s presidency as many of his other diplomatic nominations have been delayed by his Republican rivals.
Australia and Japan are among the closest US allies, with US ambassadors historically enjoying warm welcomes. In Australia, much like in Japan, Kennedy will seek to bolster US relationships as tensions rise sharply with a growing China.
Biden in September announced a new three-way alliance with Australia and Britain, dubbed Aukus, in which Australia is on track to obtain US nuclear-powered submarines, seen as a clear signal as Beijing asserts itself in the region.