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- House members make rare China visit to stabilize ties (nbcnews.com)
US Lawmakers Visit Beijing in Effort to Stabilize Relations with China
A delegation of US lawmakers met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Beijing on Sunday, marking the first House of Representatives visit to China since 2019. The meeting comes as both nations seek to improve relations strained by trade disputes, technological competition, and disagreements over Taiwan and the South China Sea.
The bipartisan delegation, led by Representative Adam Smith (D-WA), ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, emphasized the need for increased engagement between the two superpowers. Premier Li echoed this sentiment, referring to the visit as an “ice-breaking” trip that could help bolster bilateral ties.
Rep. Smith acknowledged the need for both countries to work towards strengthening the relationship, noting the extended period since the last House delegation visited China. He expressed hope that the meeting would lead to more frequent exchanges.
The visit follows a recent call between Presidents Biden and Xi, signaling a concerted effort to navigate the complexities in the US-China relationship. Tensions have been exacerbated in recent years by several factors, including US restrictions on semiconductor chips, concerns over the popular social media platform TikTok, and Chinese military activity near Taiwan, which China claims as its own.
While the COVID-19 pandemic halted official visits, US lawmakers have continued to travel to the region, including trips to Taiwan, a move that has consistently drawn criticism from Beijing. Previous visits by high-profile figures like former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Representative Michael McCaul have resulted in strong reactions from China, including military exercises and sanctions. The current delegation’s visit suggests a renewed focus on direct dialogue and diplomacy.
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- House members make rare China visit to stabilize ties (nbcnews.com)