**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, aiming to stabilize the increasingly strained relations between the two global economic powers.
The group is scheduled to meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People as part of this diplomatic outreach.
### Diplomacy Following Trump-Xi Phone Call
This visit follows a recent phone conversation between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Both leaders are exploring ways to ease tensions that have been escalating due to various issues, including trade disputes, U.S. restrictions on semiconductor chips, concerns over TikTok ownership, Chinese activities in the South China Sea, and matters related to Taiwan.
### Emphasizing the Importance of Dialogue
Representative Adam Smith, a Democrat and the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, underscored the significance of maintaining open communication channels with China. He stated, “Merely talking with China is not endorsing everything that they do.” He added, “It’s like China is a big, powerful country. We are a big, powerful country. I think we need to talk about that.”
### Advances in Defense Diplomacy
In a related development, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently held a phone conversation with his Chinese counterpart, Dong Jun—the first such dialogue since January. Secretary Hegseth emphasized that while the United States does not seek conflict with China, it remains committed to defending its vital interests in the Asia-Pacific region.
This highlights the critical role of diplomatic engagement between Washington and Beijing amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
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The bipartisan delegation’s visit represents a step toward maintaining open dialogue and reducing friction between the two nations during a period of complex challenges.
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