"I think the new ambassador can make something positive in promoting the Sino-U.S. economic relationship and coordinating relations between Beijing and Capitol Hill," Fu said to Beijing Review.

Referring to Baucus' relative lack of China experience, analysts claimed it is not necessarily a shortcoming for an ambassador.

Song Guoyou, an associate professor at Shanghai-based Fudan University, said that from another angle, Baucus' comparative lack of knowledge about China is conducive to the direct control of Sino-U.S. relations by the White House.

The duty of the U.S. ambassador is to deliver timely and accurately the information of the two governments to each other based on the U.S. interests, facilitating communication of the two sides and providing valuable advice, said Song.

"His relative lack of knowledge on China and security issues will urge him to deliver unvarnished information to the White House, while his personal connections in Washington are helpful for this direct communication," Song added.

Song also claimed that Baucus may be impelled to learn about the country more objectively and explore new ways for rational interaction between China and the United States.

No picnic

Baucus has traveled to China more than a half dozen times, with an eye for the Beijing Marathon, according to his statements after being nominated. However, the new job as U.S. ambassador in Beijing may be more challenging than the marathon.

Jin of Renmin University claimed the prime task of Baucus after arriving in Beijing is to enhance strategic mutual trust.

Washington's overreaction toward China's establishment of the East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone and Obama's recent meeting with the Dalai Lama demonstrated the insufficiency of mutual trust between the two sides.

China's Foreign Ministry labels the Dalai Lama "a political exile who has long been engaged in anti-China separatist activities under the cloak of religion."

"With the rise of China, the strength of China and the United States is getting closer. Although China has no intention to repel the U.S. presence in Asia, the ascending Chinese influence within the region is worrying to Washington, which leads to the United States' provoking a competition with China over regional leadership," said Jin.

Jin claimed China's rapid military modernization also makes Washington nervous. He said that for the United States to maintain its overwhelming military superiority, Washington may put forward a regular military negotiation mechanism during Baucus' term to urge China to rein in its military growth.

In addition, Jin mentioned that the cyber security issue, China's maritime power strategy as well as China's economic transformation may all affect the Sino-U.S. relationship—posing immediate tests for the diplomatic wisdom of the U.S. ambassador.

The cyber security issue between China and the United States was hyped by U.S. media last year until former contractor for the U.S. National Security Agency Edward Snowden proved that the U.S. intelligence system is the largest force of surveillance in the world. But still, Washington persisted in its accusations of China.

"It is common to see the cooperation and competition between established powers and rising powers in human history. The rise of China makes the United States more sensitive; therefore, the Sino-U.S. relationship has entered a complicated new period, testing diplomats and leaders of both sides," Jin said to Beijing Review.

Jin also pointed out that the diversified public opinion now in China also adds difficulties for the development of bilateral relations. "In the past, we often heard different voices from the Capitol Hill when mentioning Sino-U.S. relations, but now we should also pay attention to opinions from China's cyber space," said the professor.

Jin claimed that in spite of all the frictions and disputes between the two countries, the top leaders of China and the United States have a general agreement on avoiding the pattern in which emerging powers engage in confrontation with established powers.

During their historic meeting at a retreat in California last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Obama agreed on the building-up of a new type of major-country relations characterized by mutual respect and win-win cooperation.

"China's leadership pays much attention to relations with major powers, especially the United States. Thus, China has provided a good political environment for Baucus. Next, we will see how the new ambassador uses these favorable conditions to make his own contribution to bilateral relations," said Jin.

Email us at: yulintao@bjreview.com