Bipartisan House delegation visits Beijing to ease US-China tensions

A bipartisan delegation of U.S. House members led by Representative Adam Smith arrived in Beijing on Sunday for the first House visit to China since 2019, meeting top Chinese officials as both countries seek to stabilize ties amid disputes over trade, technology and military activity. The lawmakers met with Premier Li Qiang and have held or scheduled talks with Vice Premier He Lifeng, Defense Minister Dong Jun and Foreign Minister Wang Yi during a trip that runs through Thursday.

The delegation, which includes Representatives Michael Baumgartner, Ro Khanna and Chrissy Houlahan, said its aim is to reopen lines of communication and reduce the risk of miscalculation between the world s two largest militaries. It comes days after a phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping and follows Beijing s recent military parade that displayed advanced weaponry.

It is dangerous for us not to be having regular communications about our capabilities and intentions, Smith told reporters at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, adding that rising Chinese military and nuclear strength makes dialogue essential. Smith cautioned that ships and planes from both sides have come...