Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Hearing on Sen. Max Baucus, nominee to be Ambassador to China, Jan. 28, 2014

“The U.S.- China relationship is one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world. It will shape global affairs for generations to come. We must get it right.... 

“Leaders from both sides have recognized that we have much more to gain from cooperation than from conflict. I believe that as well, and I see many areas of our relationship where cooperation is not only possible, but vital…. 

“So how do we continue to bring China into the fold? By engaging the Chinese through bilateral talks and regional forums. Engagement will allow us to identify shared goals. It will allow us to achieve concrete results. 

“As Chairman (of Senate Finance Committee), I worked to bring China into the global trade community. I met with Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji in 2000, and pushed to extend permanent trade relations with China, and I supported its entry into the World Trade Organization. The strategy has already paid dividends….

“As the United States encourages cooperation with China, we must also

remain loyal to the values that define us as Americans, including our commitment to universal values, human rights, and freedom.” 

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Click here to read Sen. Baucus’s prepared comments.