Just as a pianist practises a new piece of music slowly, with attention to every phrase, keeping the first signs of goodwill between Washington and Beijing on track calls for a disciplined use of words. More educational exchanges and people-to-people interactions will also help improve understanding and dispel fear and suspicion.

As Senator Max Baucus prepares to transition to his new post as U.S. Ambassador to China, Dr. Zheng Wang provides three suggestions for the incoming ambassador based on the lessons drawn from his two predecessors, Jon Huntsman and Gary Locke.

As the new U.S. Ambassador to China, former Senator Max Baucus takes leadership over a prominent and historically significant foreign policy position.

Foreign news agencies have reported that President Barack Obama will likely nominate Senator Max Baucus to be his next envoy to China. If this is true and no change happens, it should be a positive move for the China-US relations, writes Tao Wenzhao.