In a rare display of diplomatic engagement, a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers arrived in Beijing on Sunday, September 21, 2025, marking the first visit by members of the House of Representatives to China since 2019. The delegation, led by Representative Adam Smith, a Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, met with China’s Premier Li Qiang in a high-profile bid to thaw relations that have chilled over recent years. The lawmakers’ mission: to push for an increase in military-to-military dialogue, a move both sides described as urgent and overdue.
Premier Li Qiang welcomed the group with a sense of optimism, calling the visit an “icebreaking trip that will further the ties between the two countries,” as reported by The Associated Press. The Premier stressed, “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.” His remarks underscored the global stakes involved in the U.S.-China relationship—a sentiment echoed by the American visitors.
Representative Smith, speaking candidly during the opening remarks of the meeting, acknowledged that while trade and economic issues were “on the top of the list,” the delegation was “very focused on our military-to-military conversations.” He added, “As a member of the Armed Services Committee, I’m deeply concerned that our two militaries don’t communicate more.” Smith’s comments reflected a bipartisan worry that, in a world of rising tensions and complex security challenges, the lack of regular communication between the world’s two largest militaries poses real risks.
The delegation’s composition was itself a signal of the seriousness with which Congress views the bilateral relationship. Alongside Smith were Michael Baumgartner, a Republican serving on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Democrats Ro Khanna and Chrissy Houlahan, both also members of the House Armed Services Committee. According to AL24 News, this group is scheduled to remain in China until Thursday, September 25, 2025, allowing for several days of discussions and exchanges.
This visit comes against a backdrop of mounting difficulties in the U.S.-China relationship. Trade tensions have simmered since President Donald Trump’s first term, with tit-for-tat tariffs and disputes over intellectual property rights. The status of Taiwan—a self-ruled island that China claims as its own—remains a flashpoint, especially as the U.S. continues to provide arms and political support to Taipei. Beijing’s support for Russia, particularly in the context of ongoing global conflicts, and China’s sweeping territorial claims in the South China Sea have further complicated matters. As The Associated Press notes, these issues have “hobbled” bilateral relations, leaving both sides searching for a path forward.
Premier Li’s welcome was warm but measured. He emphasized, “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 responded in kind, saying, “I really welcome your remarks about wanting to build and strengthen that relationship.” The mutual recognition that the stakes go beyond their own borders—impacting global stability and prosperity—set the tone for the discussions.
The significance of this visit is highlighted by its rarity. The last time a group of U.S. senators visited China was in 2023. For the House of Representatives, it had been six years since the last official delegation set foot in Beijing. The intervening period has seen not just diplomatic frostiness, but also a marked reduction in the kind of routine, direct contact that can help prevent misunderstandings and crises.
Military-to-military dialogue, in particular, has lagged. According to The Associated Press, Smith’s concern about insufficient communication between the two defense establishments was a central theme of the delegation’s agenda. In an era of advanced weaponry, cyber threats, and rapidly shifting alliances, the absence of regular, reliable channels for dialogue increases the risk of accidental escalation—a point not lost on either side.
Yet, the lawmakers did not ignore the economic dimension of the relationship. Trade between the U.S. and China remains vast, with supply chains and markets deeply intertwined. Both nations face domestic pressures—economic slowdowns, shifting demographics, and political polarization—that make the management of their relationship all the more delicate. As Smith put it, “Certainly, trade and economy is on the top of the list,” but the group’s focus on military conversations was just as critical.
The visit also comes at a moment of political transition and calculation. Former President Donald Trump, whose administration presided over some of the sharpest downturns in U.S.-China relations, announced plans to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping at a regional summit in South Korea at the end of October 2025. Trump also indicated he would visit China in the “early part of next year,” following what he described as a lengthy phone call with Xi. These planned meetings, according to reports in The National, could set the stage for further diplomatic engagement—or, depending on their outcome, renewed tensions.
What makes this congressional visit particularly notable is its bipartisan nature. In an era when U.S. domestic politics is often deeply divided, the delegation’s makeup—combining Democrats and Republicans, members of both the Armed Services and Foreign Affairs committees—sent a clear message: the imperative to manage the U.S.-China relationship transcends party lines. The lawmakers’ willingness to travel to Beijing, engage directly with their counterparts, and press for renewed dialogue signals a recognition that, for all their differences, both countries share a responsibility to the wider world.
As the week unfolds, observers in Washington, Beijing, and beyond will be watching closely. Will these talks lead to a resumption of regular military contacts? Can the two sides find common ground on thorny economic issues? And, perhaps most importantly, will this “icebreaking trip” be remembered as the start of a new chapter—or just a brief thaw in a long winter?
For now, the significance of the visit lies in its symbolism as much as its substance. In the words of Premier Li, the hope is that “more exchanges and cooperation” will not only benefit China and the United States, but also hold “great significance to the world.” With tensions high and the stakes even higher, the world is watching—and waiting for signs of progress.