US Ambassador to China Max Baucus gestures in front of Chinese and American national flags during a news conference at the US Embassy, upon his arrival to his new post, in Beijing, March 18, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

Beijing - Ensuring a "level playing field" for American businesses stands at the top of the U.S. diplomatic agenda in China, US Ambassador Max Baucus said in his first public remarks since taking office.

"The first (of three goals) is to strengthen our economic relationship with China in a way that is mutually beneficial and ensures a level playing field for American businesses and workers to compete fairly with their Chinese counterparts," the former Montana senator said in remarks to reporters.

Baucus also said he hoped to strengthen people-to-people diplomacy and work with China on global challenges.