The US ambassador to China, Max Baucus, has named trade, climate change, and nuclear testing in the Korean Peninsula as top priorities for his country's newly-elected president.

US ambassador to China, Max Baucus (L), addresses to the press in the US embassy in Beijing on Wednesday.[Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

As American voters cast their ballots yesterday, Baucus predicted the US and China would have a close relationship regardless of the results.

"No matter who is elected, the US and China will work more closely together and join hands to address bilateral trade, which is worth $600 billion. Also, both countries would work on the important climate change issue, and if possible, the North Korea nuclear issue," Baucus said,

When asked about the future of bilateral economic ties, the ambassador added that he hoped the BIT (bilateral investment treaty), essential to economic and trade ties, would be passed soon thanks to the hard work of negotiators on both sides.