Max Baucus sworn in as new US ambassador to China

Former US Senator Max Baucus was sworn in by Vice President Joseph Biden on Friday as the country's new ambassador to China.

The ceremony was held at the State Department and closed to the press. Secretary of State John Kerry also had a swearing-in for Baucus, press reports said.

Baucus, a 72-year-old Democrat from Montana, was first elected to the Senate in 1978 and later held the chair of the Senate Finance Committee. His nomination as ambassador to China was confirmed by the Senate on Feb. 6.

He had pledged to work hard to strengthen the US-China relationship, which he called "one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world." He will succeed Gary Locke who had announced his intention to step down in November.