Nominee US envoy to China Max Baucus seen tough on security
Max Baucus expected to maintain rigid stance of Obama administration regarding China's expanding Asia-Pacific presence, observers say
The expected next US ambassador to China is likely to take a tough stance when security or commercial disputes arise even if he makes economic co-operation his priority, observers say.
The situation facing Senator Max Baucus is more delicate than in 2011, when outgoing ambassador Gary Locke took up his position.
That is because of mistrust between the world's two most powerful economies over issues including China's rising economic power, both nations' increased presence in the Asia-Pacific region, and Beijing's territorial spats with its neighbours.
"It is not expected that Baucus will be overly friendly towards China," said Shi Yinhong , professor of international relations at Renmin University. "He is expected to continue the tough stance of the Obama administration regarding China's expanding presence in the Asia-Pacific."
Testifying on Tuesday before a Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing, Baucus said he had a "fascination" with China dating back to university, when he spent a year backpacking around Asia, but acknowledged that he was "no real expert on China".
He even said the US should be "very wary" of President Xi Jinping's frequent call for Beijing and Washington to develop a "new type of major-power relationship", saying the model was "not an approach that makes sense to me". He said his approach to Beijing would be "cautious" and he agreed with Republican Senator John McCain that China was trying to be the dominant power in Asia.
He said he would apply a straight-talking approach to advance US maritime and military interests, describing China's declaration of new air defence zones as "unfortunate".
