Crisis and protectionism always come together, but US companies need to be treated fairly in China, US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke told China Daily in an exclusive interview yesterday.

During the interview, Locke also shared a few personal details yesterday. His childhood dream was to be a forest ranger or a teacher and he is thankful to a Boy Scout leader who took him under his wing.

"He was my mentor and we have remained friends for more than 40 years," Locke said, adding that young people need mentors to help them mature and succeed. And he enjoys golf - and building and fixing things at home, from electricity to plumbing.

"I like to repair things, and I like to do things with my hands," he said. "I'm very good at plumbing. I'm very good at electrical systems. I'm very good at construction, and I enjoy that." Except these days, he has little spare time to do it, as secretary of Commerce, he said.

（英语点津 编辑）