New U.S. ambassador to China Max Baucus outlines priorities for U.S.-China relations

Newly installed U.S. Ambassador to China Max Baucus made his opening remarks to the local press in Beijing on Tuesday.

Quoting Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, Baucus said "a journey of a 1,000 miles begins with a single step." The new American ambassador portrayed his assignment as a journey, and indicated he plans to "get out of this office and out of Beijing" so that he can visit all of China's provinces and regions.

The Chinese-American relationship, Baucus said, is "one of America's most important bilateral relationships." In his opening speech, he presented his agenda as foremost focusing on sustaining and growing the U.S.-China economic relationship, as well as positioning the U.S. to "partner with China" in confronting global challenges and working with China to uphold global laws, norms, values, and rights.

Baucus replaces Ambassador Gary Locke, who stepped down in February after three years in the post. Baucus, a former senator from Montana, was confirmed as Locke's replacement on February 6.

[Wall Street Journal]