Chrissy Houlahan, a Democratic member of the House Armed Services Committee, stands alongside Chinese Premier Li Qiang at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People on Sunday.
Mahesh Kumar A./Pool AP
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Mahesh Kumar A./Pool AP
BANGKOK – In a notable development amid strained U.S.-China relations, a bipartisan delegation of American lawmakers met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Sunday, advocating for enhanced military-to-military communication. This visit/” title=”Colombian Vice President Embarks on Exciting Three-Day … to Nigeria”>visit marks a rare occasion for congressional representatives to engage directly with Chinese leadership.
The last delegation of U.S. senators visited China in 2023, but this group from the House of Representatives is the first to travel to Beijing since 2019. Leading the delegation, Representative Adam Smith described the visit as a crucial step toward thawing diplomatic tensions.
Premier Li greeted the lawmakers warmly, describing the visit as a “breakthrough journey” that could strengthen bilateral relations. He emphasized the importance of increased exchanges and collaboration, noting that such efforts benefit not only China and the U.S. but also hold global significance.
Smith, who serves on the House Armed Services Committee, highlighted the delegation’s shared goal: fostering dialogue beyond economic and trade issues. “While trade remains a priority, our focus is also on improving military communications,” Smith stated. “As someone deeply involved in defense matters, I am concerned about the lack of direct contact between our armed forces.”
The group also includes Michael Baumgartner, a Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, along with Democrats Ro Khanna and Chrissy Houlahan, both members of the House Armed Services Committee. Their visit is scheduled to continue through Thursday.
Relations between the U.S. and China have deteriorated since the early days of the Trump administration, complicated by trade disputes, Taiwan’s contested status, Beijing’s backing of Russia, and territorial claims in the South China Sea.
“As the world’s two leading powers, it is vital that the U.S. and China find ways to coexist peacefully,” Smith remarked. “I appreciate Premier Li’s openness to strengthening our relationship.”
Following a recent extensive phone conversation, former President Donald Trump announced plans to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at a regional summit in South Korea at the end of October, with a visit to China anticipated in early next year.
