Beijing (CNN) -- Washington is sending a veteran politician, not a career diplomat, as its new ambassador to China. Six-term Democratic Party Senator Max Baucus, 72, will soon take up his diplomatic post in Beijing, replacing Gary Locke, who is stepping down to rejoin his family in Seattle. Given his relative lack of China experience, some, in both the U.S. and in China are wondering if Baucus is a good choice. He has made eight trips to China and has met with to Chinese leaders, but he is not considered a China hand. His strong suit is his extensive experience when it comes to trade issues.
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Washington has chosen veteran politician with little diplomatic experience
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Senator Max Baucus will soon take up post in Beijing, replacing Gary Locke
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Locke faced dramatic political crises but was popular among ordinary Chinese
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Baucus's Washington connections likely to be his biggest asset, analysts say
The improvement significantly increased Chinese business and travel tourism to the U.S. "His primary target was making the potential of Chinese economic growth benefit the @placeholder people," the diplomat added.