Washington, Feb 22 (IANS): Former US Senator Max Baucus was sworn in by Vice President Joseph Biden Friday as the country's new ambassador to China.
The ceremony was held at the State Department and closed to the press. Secretary of State John Kerry also had a swearing-in for Baucus, Xinhua reported.
Baucus, a 72-year-old Democrat from Montana, was first elected to the Senate in 1978 and later held the chair of the Senate Finance Committee. His nomination as ambassador to China was confirmed by the Senate Feb 6.
He pledged to work hard to strengthen the US-China relationship, which he called "one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world".
He will succeed Gary Locke who had announced his intention to step down in November.