In the earlier this week, Foreign Relationship Committee of Senate approved Baucus to become the China ambassador. Baucus said in the nomination hearing on January 28th, "build a stronger, more equitable economic relationship between our two countries" will become the first and important goal as ambassador role. Another important goal is to cooperate with China, to encourage China to deal with global affairs with responsible ways, to respect human rights, and to protect environment.
Baucus claimed that he will try his best to strengthen the healthy economic relations between China and the U.S., to push accomplishment of common interest forwards as well as to make the world more safe and prosperous.
Baucus, 72, is a Democrat. He has become a senator since 1978 and is the current senator from Montana with longest term of service. He has visited Beijing 8 times and supported China to join the World Trade Organization and to receive the most favored nation treatment. The director of Kissinger Institute of China-U.S. Relation in The Woodrow Wilson International Center, Daly told reporter that there are two strategy advantages for Baucus to come to China. First, Baucus has very close relationship with White House and personal friendship with Obama. When Obama reappointed to become President in 2012, a long term assistant and good friend of Baucus was the manager of Obama Campaign. Baucus and Vice President, Biden, are good friends. All these will be good for Baucus to expand the relationship between China and the U.S. as well as communicate with Washington D.C. when there are sensitive issues.
Second, as an important senator, Baucus will be able to help the colleagues at Congress to better understand China's current situation, particularly some partial opinion from some Hawkish Democrats. If Baucus "learns fast" in China, he will be able to help the Congress to establish more police that is better for China and accelerates win-win situation. This might be the greatest contribution of Baucus in China.