In a diplomatic move that’s been described as “icebreaking,” a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers arrived in Beijing on Sunday, September 21, 2025, for a rare and closely watched meeting with China’s Premier Li Qiang. This visit, the first by a House of Representatives delegation since 2019, signals a tentative step toward easing years of mounting tension between the world’s two largest economies. The lawmakers, led by Representative Adam Smith, a Democrat serving on the House Armed Services Committee, are scheduled to remain in China until Thursday, September 25.
Premier Li Qiang welcomed the delegation with a message of hope and pragmatism. He called the visit an “icebreaking trip that will further the ties between the two countries,” according to reports from Fortune and Business Standard. “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 said, underscoring the global stakes of U.S.-China relations.
The U.S. delegation, which also included Republican Michael Baumgartner of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Democrats Ro Khanna and Chrissy Houlahan, both from the Armed Services Committee, arrived in Beijing with a dual mission. Rep. Smith made it clear that trade and economic issues were at the top of the agenda—but he stressed that the group was also “very focused on our military-to-military conversations.” In his opening remarks, Smith didn’t mince words: “As a member of the Armed Services Committee, I’m deeply concerned that our two militaries don’t communicate more.”
The lack of direct military dialogue between the U.S. and China has been a persistent concern for policymakers and analysts alike. With tensions simmering over Taiwan, the South China Sea, and Beijing’s support for Russia, the stakes of miscommunication—or worse, accidental escalation—are higher than ever. Smith’s candor reflected a bipartisan consensus on the need to rebuild channels that have atrophied over the past several years of diplomatic chill.
“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 said, echoing a sentiment shared by many in both capitals. He added, “I really welcome your remarks about wanting to build and strengthen that relationship.”
The context for this visit is fraught. U.S.-China relations have steadily deteriorated since the first term of President Donald Trump, battered by a trade war, disputes over the self-ruled island of Taiwan (which China claims as its own), Beijing’s expansive territorial claims in the South China Sea, and its continued support for Russia. According to BBC and The Taipei Times, these issues have repeatedly derailed attempts at rapprochement, making Sunday’s meeting all the more significant.
Premier Li’s message was clear: the world is watching, and the consequences of failure would extend far beyond Washington and Beijing. The Chinese leader’s remarks about the “great significance to the world” weren’t just diplomatic niceties—they were a reminder that global markets, regional security, and the very fabric of international relations hinge on how these two giants manage their differences.
For the U.S. lawmakers, the timing of the visit was no accident. The last congressional trip to China by a group of senators was in 2023, but it’s been six years since a House delegation made the journey. The symbolism was not lost on Li, who referred to the visit as an “icebreaking trip”—a phrase that hints at both the depth of the freeze and the hope for a thaw.
Smith and his colleagues were careful to balance optimism with realism. While trade and economic ties are vital, the specter of military miscalculation looms large. “Certainly, trade and economy is on the top of the list … (but also) we’re very focused on our military-to-military conversations,” Smith reiterated. His concern about the lack of communication between the two militaries was echoed in every report, from Benzinga to The Business Standard.
The visit comes at a time of heightened rhetoric on both sides. Earlier this month, President Trump accused Chinese President Xi Jinping of “conspiring against” the United States during a military parade in Beijing, which also featured North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin. On social media, Trump wrote, “May President Xi and the wonderful people of China have a great and lasting day of celebration. Please give my warmest regards to Putin and Jong Un, as you conspire against The United States of America,” referencing the parade marking the 80th anniversary of Japan’s World War II surrender, as reported by Benzinga.
Adding to the drama, the Trump administration reportedly considered renaming the Department of Defense to the Department of War, reviving a title not used since 1947. Trump argued that the old name “has a stronger sound,” and legislative proposals were reportedly being drafted to facilitate the change, potentially restoring the title of Secretary of War during a national emergency. While the proposal has yet to gain traction in Congress, it reflects the combative mood that has characterized recent U.S.-China exchanges.
Despite these tensions, there are signs of potential high-level engagement on the horizon. Trump announced plans to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping at a regional summit at the end of October 2025 in South Korea and to visit China in early 2026, following a lengthy phone call between the two leaders on Friday, September 19, 2025. These planned meetings, if they go ahead, could provide an opportunity for further dialogue—or, depending on how events unfold, new flashpoints.
Both sides appear to recognize the need for a reset, even if only a partial one. Premier Li’s openness to dialogue and the bipartisan nature of the U.S. delegation suggest that there is political will—at least for now—to seek common ground. The lawmakers’ willingness to travel to Beijing, despite the political risks back home, speaks volumes about the urgency of the moment.
Still, the road ahead is anything but smooth. The issues dividing the U.S. and China are deep-rooted and complex, ranging from economic competition and technological rivalry to security dilemmas and competing visions for the world order. But as this week’s visit shows, even the iciest of relationships can begin to thaw—if both sides are willing to talk, listen, and, perhaps most importantly, keep the lines of communication open.
As the delegation continues its stay in Beijing, all eyes will be on whether these conversations can lay the groundwork for more stable and constructive U.S.-China relations. For now, the world waits—watching, hoping, and, perhaps, breathing just a little bit easier.
