Why US House lawmakers are on a trip to China
**Why US House Lawmakers Are on a Trip to China**
*By Dwaipayan Roy | Sep 21, 2025, 06:24 PM*
A bipartisan delegation from the United States House of Representatives, led by Representative Adam Smith, has arrived in China. This marks the first visit by a House delegation since 2019, aimed at stabilizing the increasingly strained relations between the two global economic powers.
### Diplomatic Outreach Amid Rising Tensions
The delegation’s visit includes a scheduled meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People. This diplomatic outreach follows a recent phone call between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping, signaling both leaders’ willingness to ease tensions that have created friction in various areas.
Key issues causing strain between the US and China include ongoing trade disputes, US restrictions on semiconductor exports, controversies over TikTok’s ownership, aggressive Chinese actions in the South China Sea, and sensitive Taiwan-related matters.
### Emphasizing the Importance of Dialogue
Representative Adam Smith, a Democrat and the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, highlighted the necessity of open dialogue. Smith stated, “Merely talking with China is not endorsing everything that they do.” He added, “China is a big, powerful country. We are a big, powerful country. I think we need to talk about that.”
### First Defense Talks Since January
In a related development, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently held talks with his Chinese counterpart, Dong Jun, marking the first defense-level communication since January. Secretary Hegseth underscored that the United States does not seek conflict with China but remains committed to defending its vital interests in the Asia-Pacific region.
This visit and the ongoing diplomatic conversations reflect the importance both countries place on maintaining communication channels even amid ongoing challenges, aiming to reduce tensions and find common ground.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/world/us-congressional-delegation-visits-china-amid-tensions/story
