SenBaucus8X10.jpg (Photo : official Baucus senate website)
Updated Feb. 6, 2014
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Max Baucus became the new U.S. ambassador to China after the Senate unanimously voted for his appointment to the diplomatic post Thursday.
Voting 96-0, the Senate confirmed the Montana Democrat's appointment as new envoy to a country which the United States considers critically important.
Earlier on Tuesday, Baucus appeared headed toward an easy confirmation when the Senate Foreign Relations Committee gave a unanimous voice-vote on his nomination.
Baucus, 72, is widely popular on Capitol Hill as the next ambassador to China owing to his vast experience in international trade while he was head of the Senate Finance Committee.
"The US-China relationship is one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world. It will shape global affairs for generations to come," Baucus told the panel Tuesday. "We must get it right."
Baucus laid out a broad agenda that zeroes in on economic cooperation, security, and human rights issues between the United States and China.
"I have become a firm believer that a strong geopolitical relationship can be born out of a strong economic relationship, which often begins with trade," he told senators during the hearing, stressing that it is imperative for America to be deeply involved in the Asia-Pacific region.
Baucus said among his priorities as ambassador to China would be to encourage the Chinese government to act responsibly in resolving regional and international disputes, to respect human rights, intellectual property rights, and to help pressure North Korea to abandon its nuclear program.
Arizona's Republican Senator John McCain threw one of the most difficult questions on Baucus during the hearing, warning him about what is perceived as China's goal to dominate the world.
"They want to be number one in the world," McCain said, "unless you understand that, you will have trouble dealing with them."
"I don't disagree with you," Baucus confidently answered, adding that he would pro-actively seek peaceful solutions to disputes obtaining in the Asia-Pacific region.
Baucus is the third-longest serving U.S. senator and had no plans of running for congress again. He was nominated by President Barack Obama to the China post on Dec. 20.
