New envoy 'must find right mix'

Possible US ambassador Baucus called a big figure for a big relationship

Max Baucus, expected to be nominated as the next US ambassador to China, will have to play a balancing act between implementing Washington's policies and addressing Beijing's concerns over its strategic interests, observers said.

Baucus, a long-time Democratic senator who is chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, is expected to be nominated by US President Barack Obama to replace Gary Locke, who is leaving office early next year.