The Chinese government doesn't always send representatives to a gubernatorial event in a rural U.S. state. Same for the Taiwanese government. And the U.S. trade ambassador usually doesn't drop by Utah inaugurations.

But they came for Huntsman.

"The China connection with Jon Jr.'s background is terrific for the state," said M. Anthony Burns, former chairman of the board of the multibillion-dollar corporation Ryder System Inc., who flew in from Miami for Monday's inaugural. "I don't think people really appreciate the connections that he has that can help the economy of the state."

As in his campaign, Huntsman, a former U.S. trade representative and ambassador to Singapore, dotted his inaugural address with talk of creating jobs and improving the economy, and friends and luminaries said the new governor had what it takes to succeed.

"Over the years, the state of Utah has developed a very close relationship with China," said Lan Lijun, minister and deputy chief of mission to the Embassy of the People's Republic of China. "Governor Huntsman, serving as an ambassador and also deputy [trade] representative, made a great contribution to the great relations of our two countries. . . . I think we can learn we have much to share with each other."

Other foreign officials - including representatives of India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka - had planned to attend but canceled after the tsunami disaster.

Even so, the fact that they were originally coming to the inauguration says a lot about Huntsman's clout, notes Dinesh Patel, a longtime Huntsman friend and managing director of Salt Lake City-based V Spring Capital.

"Jon is going to help a lot to open the Asian market," said Patel. He's going to be "more targeted rather than just going on a trade mission because he knows the people there."

U.S. Trade Ambassador Robert Zoellick, a member of President Bush's Cabinet who attended Monday's ceremony, said Huntsman taking Utah's helm could translate into great things for the state.

"Utah, in part because of the [LDS Church] mission experiences, has a lot of people who know foreign languages and have lived abroad," Zoellick said. "That's a tremendous asset. When you combine it with other strengths, including the education in the university system and, frankly, what I believe is a beautiful place to live, there's a lot of things that can come together.''

tburr@sltrib.com