For the first time since 2019, a bipartisan delegation from the U.S. House of Representatives has landed in Beijing, aiming to patch up frayed military and diplomatic ties with China. The trip, led by Representative Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, marks a significant thaw in relations that have been tense for years over trade, technology, and global security disputes.
The delegation, which also includes Republican Michael Baumgartner from the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Democrats Ro Khanna and Chrissy Houlahan, arrived in Beijing on September 21, 2025. Their packed schedule featured meetings with Premier Li Qiang, Vice Premier He Lifeng, and, crucially, Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun. The lawmakers are set to remain in China until Thursday, September 25, making the most of what Premier Li called an “icebreaking trip that will further the ties between the two countries,” according to the Associated Press.
“It is important for our two countries to have more exchanges and cooperation, this is not only good for our two countries but also of great significance to the world,” Li Qiang told the U.S. visitors, emphasizing the global impact of constructive U.S.-China engagement.
The focus of the visit, as stated by Smith, is clear: “We want to open up better the lines of communication between our two countries in general, in particular between our defense (structures),” he told Defense Minister Dong Jun ahead of their meeting, as reported by Reuters. Smith underscored that while disagreements abound—on issues such as Taiwan, trade, and global conflicts—open discussions are vital. “And we have disagreements, without question, but I think it makes it all the more important that we have open discussions about how to resolve those differences,” Smith said.
For his part, Dong Jun welcomed the delegation, calling their visit “a good phase in strengthening China-U.S. communications” and “the right thing to do.” He urged the Americans to “eliminate interfering and restrictive factors and adopt constructive and pragmatic measures” to improve military-to-military relations, according to China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency. Dong stated that the Chinese military is willing to build stable and positive ties based on respect and peaceful coexistence, while safeguarding national sovereignty and development interests.
This spirit of cautious optimism comes after a lengthy freeze in military communications. In August 2022, then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan led Beijing to suspend military dialogue with Washington for over a year. China views self-ruled Taiwan as its own territory, to be annexed by force if necessary. Military talks only resumed in November 2023, following a rare meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and then-U.S. President Joe Biden.
The backdrop to this visit is a tapestry of unresolved disputes. U.S.-China relations have been battered by trade wars, technology bans, the status of Taiwan, Beijing’s support for Russia, and conflicting claims in the South China Sea. The COVID-19 pandemic further strained ties, halting formal U.S. House visits to China since 2020 and fueling acrimonious debates over the virus’s origins.
“China and the U.S. are the two most powerful and influential countries in the world, it’s really important that we get along, and we find a way to peacefully coexist in the world,” Smith told Premier Li, echoing a sentiment shared by many global observers. He added, “I really welcome your remarks about wanting to build and strengthen that relationship.”
Beyond military matters, the U.S. delegation pressed Chinese officials on a range of hot-button issues. According to Smith’s readout of the meetings, the lawmakers discussed the ongoing economic negotiations and the impact of tariffs on bilateral trade—a topic that continues to unsettle global markets. The delegation also addressed the need for China to help stem the flow of fentanyl into the U.S., the future of the social media platform TikTok, and concerns about China’s restrictions on the global supply of rare earth minerals, which are critical for modern technology.
Vice Premier He Lifeng, in a separate meeting, called for “candid communication, enhanced trust, and resolving doubts” to foster stable, healthy, and sustainable trade and economic relations, as reported by Xinhua. The U.S. lawmakers, for their part, stressed the need for increased dialogue and transparency, especially at the military-to-military level. They also reiterated that the U.S. seeks a peaceful resolution to the Taiwan issue—an ever-present flashpoint in the relationship.
This visit comes on the heels of a phone call between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping on September 19, 2025. The two leaders agreed to hold further talks on the sidelines of a regional summit in South Korea at the end of October. Trump announced he would visit China in early 2026, with Xi expected to visit the U.S. at a later date. According to Reuters, the call and the subsequent congressional visit signal a tentative willingness on both sides to stabilize relations, albeit with no shortage of skepticism and unresolved grievances.
Smith told Chinese officials that more frequent visits and robust conversations are essential for managing the complex U.S.-China relationship. “We are the first delegation from the United States House of Representatives since 2019 and we feel strongly that there should be more frequent visits and more robust conversation,” Smith said, as cited by Reuters. “We want to open up the lines of communication. And in particular around military matters.”
Chinese Defense Minister Dong echoed this sentiment, but with a caveat. He insisted that both countries should “adopt constructive and pragmatic measures” and “eliminate interfering and restrictive factors” if they truly want to improve military relations. The Chinese side, while open to dialogue, made clear that its core interests—especially regarding sovereignty and security—remain non-negotiable.
While the mood in Beijing was described as cautiously optimistic, the road ahead is anything but smooth. The two sides remain at odds over a host of issues, from tariffs and technology to fentanyl and the South China Sea. Yet, the fact that lawmakers from both parties made the journey to Beijing, and that both governments are talking about future high-level summits, marks a notable shift from the recent past.
As the delegation’s visit wraps up, the world will be watching to see whether these renewed conversations can lead to concrete steps toward stability. For now, both sides seem to agree on at least one thing: open dialogue is better than silence, especially when the stakes are this high.