Former Gov. Gary Locke will carry the Olympic torch in China next week.

Locke, the first Chinese American governor in U.S. history, will carry the torch Aug. 5 through Chengdu, a province of Sichuan, Washington state's sister province.
Chengdu is the last leg of the journey before the torch reaches Beijing a few days before the opening ceremony.

While in China, Locke will update government leaders of the progress of various U.S. relief efforts for victims of the recent devestating earthquake in Sichuan - relief funds raised from Washington state's Asian community alone total more than half a million dollars.

"I'm deeply honored to have this opportunity to carry the torch especially in our Washington sister state province of Sichuan which suffered such devastation from the recent earthquake," Locke said in a statement released by his law firm. "The victims of the earthquake equally exemplify the Olympian spirit of determination and perseverance."

Locke is now a partner with Davis Wright Tremaine's China practice group.