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.). The delegation arrived in Beijing on September 21, 2025, and was greeted and joined by U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue. 

On the delegation’s first day in Beijing, they had a productive dialogue with LI Qiang, the Premier of the State Council People’s Republic of China, the second most senior official in China’s political system. The delegation emphasized in a united, bipartisan manner the need to recalibrate the bilateral relationship on diplomatic, economic, and security issues. The delegation emphasized the need to have more dialogue, at both diplomatic and military levels, between our two countries to find ways to increase cooperation and peacefully address areas of disagreement. The delegation raised the issue of fentanyl and ways for both countries to do more to stem the flow of precursors and other chemicals involved in the production of fentanyl. The delegation discussed the issue of nuclear proliferation and each country’s nuclear modernization programs, with the need for a more open dialogue between the two countries. Finally, the delegation also discussed ways for the two countries to work more closely on establishing an international framework for the safe and peaceful development and use of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. 

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