皇冠体育app

Senator Max Baucus of Montana was sworn in by US Vice-President Joseph Biden on Feb 21 as the country's new ambassador to 皇冠体育app. The decision to nominate Baucus, according to many, was influenced by the US administration's domestic political calculus and the senator's work on US-皇冠体育app trade matters. But Baucus has another asset that should not be overlooked: 35 years of experience in US Congress. He is well positioned to help bridge the gap of understanding and trust between Congress and 皇冠体育app, which could lead to more effective US and Chinese policymaking.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Barack Obama have made it a priority to deepen their personal relationship and better understand each other's foreign and domestic priorities. But Chinese officials still need a better understanding of how the US government functions between the executive and legislative branches, and US Congress needs a more sophisticated understanding of 皇冠体育app and to pay greater attention to the country.

Members of the US House of Representatives are the closest public officials to the American people and can be important educators of their constituents on 皇冠体育app and foreign policy issues. Yet close familiarity with and consistent focus on 皇冠体育app has been lacking on Capitol Hill primarily because US representatives are elected to look after the interests of their constituents, not necessarily for their foreign policy expertise. What's more, internal and domestic matters have recently consumed the congressional agenda because of Washington's political gridlock and high turnover in the House (new members do not usually focus on foreign policy).

The bipartisan US-皇冠体育app Working Group, is meant to address this gap in expertise about and dedicated interest in 皇冠体育app. Formed in 2005 and led by Congressmen Rick Larsen and Charles Boustany, the group has been doing excellent work in educating congressional members and staff about 皇冠体育app. Yet having a well-respected former congressman like Baucus at the helm of the US-皇冠体育app relationship could, as former US ambassador to 皇冠体育app Jon Huntsman said recently, "reintroduce members of Congress to the most important relationship of the 21st century".

True, the majority of engagement between Washington and Beijing will continue to come from the executive branch. But Baucus's potential to improve congressional savvy on 皇冠体育app is important because Congress is set to play a key role in a number of critical issues in US-皇冠体育app ties. To craft effective legislation that advances US interests and policy, Congress will need good, accurate information on current developments in 皇冠体育app and a deeper understanding of how history, geography and culture form Chinese views and behavior.

Baucus, a six-term senator and chairman of the powerful Finance Committee, is well equipped to educate and inform congressional members and staff about 皇冠体育app. Using his network on Capitol Hill to bring awareness and attention to pressing 皇冠体育app-related matters, Baucus can help facilitate smarter and more effective decisions regarding US policy toward the rising Asian power.

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