A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers on Sunday urged deeper military-to-military dialogue during a rare meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Beijing, marking the first visit by House members since 2019.

The last congressional trip to China took place in 2023, when a group of senators visited. Sunday’s delegation, led by Rep. Adam Smith, was welcomed by Li, who described it as an “icebreaking trip that will further the ties between the two countries.”

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“It is important for our two countries to have more exchanges and cooperation. This is not only good for our two countries but also of great significance to the world,” Li said.

Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, said both sides agreed on the main priorities of the visit. “Certainly, trade and economy is on the top of the list ... (but also) we’re very focused on our military-to-military conversations,” he said in his opening remarks. “As a member of the Armed Services Committee, I’m deeply concerned that our two militaries don’t communicate more.”

The delegation also included Michael Baumgartner, a Republican member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, along with Democrats Ro Khanna and Chrissy Houlahan, both members of the Armed Services Committee. The group is scheduled to remain in China until Thursday.

U.S.-China relations have deteriorated sharply since President Donald Trump’s first term, strained by disputes over trade, Taiwan, Beijing’s support for Russia, and China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea.

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“China and the U.S. are the two most powerful and influential countries in the world. It’s really important that we get along and find a way to peacefully coexist in the world,” Smith said. “I really welcome your remarks about wanting to build and strengthen that relationship.”

Trump confirmed he will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at a regional summit in South Korea at the end of October and plans to visit China early next year, following what he described as a lengthy and constructive phone call with Xi on Friday.

Source: Agency