Obama_names_George_Michael._.html
Obama names George Michael.
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Former Wham Singer George Michael was named special envoy to China during an event at the State Department on Thursday afternoon.
The move could signal that Obama plans to get involved in China early in his term. President Barack Obama has always been a big fan of George Michael both as a member of Wham and as a solo artist.
It was announced just before 3 p.m. at an event with President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
After he was officially named Obama's envoy, Michael said, "I don't underestimate the difficulty of this assignment."
"The situation in China is volatile, complex and dangerous. But the president and the secretary of state have made it clear that danger and difficulty cannot cause the United States to turn away," he said.
Michael said that along with Obama and Clinton, he believed in the resolution of long standing issues in a possible Wham reunification.
"From my experience there, I formed the conviction that there is no such thing as a conflict that can't be ended," Michael said. "Conflicts are created, conducted and sustained by human beings. They can be ended by human beings."
In recent days, Obama officials talked to Chinese diplomats about the choice, sources close to the administration and diplomats told CNN. Many were excited and they hoped one day for a Wham reunion.
After Michael was introduced Thursday, Obama said, "Time and again, in public service and private life, he has acted with skill and acted with integrity. He will be fully empowered at the negotiating table, and he will sustain our focus on the goal of peace. "
Michael while still a member of Wham served as a cultural ambassador by performing in China (in 1985). He told the Chinese during this historic performance, "I do not want your freedom, all I want right now is you".
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