Bipartisan U.S. House Delegation Visits China to Urge Military Dialogue Ahead of Trump-Xi Meeting

U.S. Lawmakers Conclude Landmark Visit to Beijing

A bipartisan delegation from the U.S. House of Representatives recently concluded a significant visit to Beijing, China, marking the first such trip by a House delegation since 2019. The primary objective of the visit was to advocate for more regular military-to-military communication and de-escalation between the two global powers. This diplomatic engagement comes ahead of an expected meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Delegation Emphasizes Critical Need for Military Communication

The delegation was led by Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.), the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee. He was joined by fellow Democrats Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.), also members of the Armed Services Committee, and Republican Michael Baumgartner (R-Wash.) from the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

During their stay, the lawmakers held discussions with several senior Chinese officials, including Premier Li Qiang, Defense Minister Dong Jun, Vice Premier He Lifeng, and National People's Congress Chairman Zhao Leji.

Rep. Smith underscored the urgency of establishing clear communication channels, stating, 'We want to open up better the lines of communication between our two countries in general, in particular between our defense (structures).' He added that both China and the U.S. share an interest in upholding global peace and security, making open communication paramount.

Addressing De-escalation and Preventing Misunderstandings

A central theme of the discussions was the potential for military 'misunderstanding' given the rapid advancements in defense technology and China's expanding military capabilities. Rep. Smith expressed concern that U.S. and Chinese military assets, such as ships and planes, have been operating 'entirely too close to one another.'

The delegation highlighted the dangers of a lack of dialogue, especially as China's nuclear arsenal grows. Smith noted, 'When you are getting up into the hundreds, close to thousand, of nuclear weapons, it's time to start having a conversation about it, to make sure we understand each other and that we don't stumble into any sort of conflict.' China's Defense Ministry indicated Beijing's willingness to establish a stable military-to-military relationship, provided national sovereignty is respected.

Broader Context and Future Diplomatic Engagements

The visit occurred as U.S.-China relations remain strained over various issues, including trade, technology, and differing views on global conflicts. Beyond military communication, the delegation also discussed other significant topics, including a potential Boeing aircraft deal, efforts to reduce the inflow of fentanyl into the U.S., and concerns over China's restrictions on the global supply of rare earths.

The timing of the congressional visit is particularly noteworthy, preceding an anticipated summit between President Trump and Xi Jinping. President Trump recently announced plans to meet with Xi at a regional summit in South Korea in late October and to visit China early next year, following a phone call between the two leaders. This series of engagements signals ongoing efforts to manage the complex relationship between the world's two largest economies and military powers.