Future Ambassador to China: 'I'm No Real Expert on China'

Future Ambassador to China: 'I'm No Real Expert on China'

At his confirmation hearing on Tuesday, Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT), Obama’s nominee for US Ambassador to China admitted, “I’m no real expert on China.” The answer came in response to a question from Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI). Points to Baucus for honesty, I guess. 

There is probably no other diplomatic post more critical than the US representative in the People’s Republic. Worries about North Korea’s nuclear program cast a worrisome shadow over the Pacific region. There has also been rising tension between China and Japan, ostensibly over control of a chain of islands in the South China sea. 

Navigating these rocks will be difficult and require a deft diplomatic hand. Yet, Obama has nominated someone who admits they aren’t an expert on China.

As Glenn Reynolds says, the country is in the very best of hands. 

COMMENTS

Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.