Senator Max Baucus became the new U.S. ambassador to China after the Senate unanimously voted for his appointment to the diplomatic post Thursday.

Voting 96-0, the Senate confirmed the Montana Democrat's appointment as new envoy to a country which the United States considers critically important.

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Earlier on Tuesday, Baucus appeared headed toward an easy confirmation when the Senate Foreign Relations Committee gave a unanimous voice-vote on his nomination.

Baucus, 72, is widely popular on Capitol Hill as the next ambassador to China owing to his vast experience in international trade while he was head of the Senate Finance Committee.

"The US-China relationship is one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world. It will shape global affairs for generations to come," Baucus told the panel Tuesday. "We must get it right." 

Baucus laid out a broad agenda that zeroes in on economic cooperation, security, and human rights issues between the United States and China.

"I have become a firm believer that a strong geopolitical relationship can be born out of a strong economic relationship, which often begins with trade," he told senators during the hearing, stressing that it is imperative for America to be deeply involved in the Asia-Pacific region.

Baucus said among his priorities as ambassador to China would be to encourage the Chinese government to act responsibly in resolving regional and international disputes, to respect human rights, intellectual property rights, and to help pressure North Korea to abandon its nuclear program.

Baucus is the third-longest serving U.S. senator and had no plans of running for congress again. He was nominated by President Barack Obama to the China post on Dec. 20.

He had visited Beijing eight times and had given full support to China's joining the World Trade Organization and its being bestowed the Most Favored Nation status. 

Experts in China-US relations believe that Baucus' appointment has its built-in advantages. First, he is known to have close personal ties with President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, making it easier for him to communicate to Washington any sensitive issues with China.

Second, Baucus can help his colleagues at the US Congress, particularly the Democratic bloc, better understand China's current situation.