BEIJING – U.S. Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, is leading a bipartisan congressional delegation to the People’s Republic of China that includes U.S. Representatives Michael Baumgartner (R-Wash.), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), and Chrissy Houlahan (D-Penn.).
On the delegation’s third day in Beijing, they met with ZHAO Leji, Chairman of the National People’s Congress, WANG Yi, the Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China, and WANG Chao, Vice Chairman of the National People’s Congress Foreign Affairs Committee. In addition, the delegation met with FU Ying and CUI Tiankai, both former senior Chinese government officials. Finally, U.S. Ambassador David Perdue hosted a dinner for the delegation at his personal residence.
During the meeting with Chairman ZHAO Leji, the delegation discussed the shared goal of seeing increased dialogue and exchanges between the U.S. Congress and the National People’s Congress. The delegation noted that open dialogue is critical to avoid misunderstandings and work through our disagreements. The delegation discussed the current economic relationship between the two countries and the status of negotiations over tariffs. The delegation raised the issue of fentanyl and urged China to take additional action on stopping the flow of precursors. The delegation discussed the current situation in the Middle East and urged China to take a more active role in encouraging Iran to stop their malign activities that destabilize the region.
During the meeting with Minister WANG Yi, the delegation discussed issues that shape the perception of Members of Congress and the American people. Specifically, the delegation raised concerns with China’s territorial disputes with neighboring countries, the desire to see more action related to fentanyl, the hope for meaningful steps to reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers, and the need for proactive engagement with Russia to help end the war in Ukraine. The delegation reinforced the U.S. position with respect to Taiwan, adherence to the One China Policy, and a desire to see the issue resolved peacefully and not through coercion. The delegation reinforced the need for candid dialogue between the U.S. and China to address misunderstandings, lower the rhetoric from both sides of the relationship, and find ways to work through disagreements.
The delegation met with Vice Chairman WANG Chao, who served as the host for the delegation’s visit to China. The delegation expressed their sincere appreciation for the Foreign Affairs Committee’s role in supporting the delegation’s visit to China and discussed a wide range of topics important to the bilateral relationship.
Additionally, the delegation enjoyed a candid discussion with Ambassador FU Ying and Ambassador CUI Tiankai, former senior officials in the government of the People’s Republic of China. The delegation and the Ambassadors exchanged views on the status of the U.S.-China relationship and how both countries perceived each other’s policies and actions on economic, diplomatic, and security issues.
###