House delegation in Beijing warns U.S. and China are 'talking past each other,' presses fentanyl and rare earths
A bipartisan U.S. House delegation — the first to visit Beijing since 2019 — met Premier Li Qiang, Defense Minister Dong Jun and Vice Premier He Lifeng at the Great Hall of the People on an “icebreaking” trip focused on strengthening recently restored military-to-military communications after a post-2022 suspension. Rep. Adam Smith said the two sides are still “talking past each other” and warned of risky close encounters, as the delegation pressed for meaningful Chinese action to curb fentanyl inflows and raised concerns over curbs on rare earths. The group, in China through Thursday, includes Smith, Michael Baumgartner, Ro Khanna and Chrissy Houlahan.
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US and China 'talking past each other' on key issues, says US lawmaker visiting Beijing
New information:
- Rep. Adam Smith said the U.S. and China are 'talking past each other' and not yet at a point of mutual understanding.
- Delegation pressed China for 'meaningful action' to reduce fentanyl inflows to the U.S. and raised concerns over Chinese restrictions on rare earths (per House Armed Services Committee readout).
- Smith warned of U.S. and Chinese ships/aircraft operating 'entirely too close' and called for regular mil‑mil dialogue akin to Cold War mechanisms; cited an Oct. 2023 incident where a Chinese jet came within ~10 feet of a U.S. bomber.
- Confirms meetings with Defense Minister Dong Jun and Vice Premier He Lifeng on Monday after talks with Premier Li Qiang Sunday; delegation remains in China until Thursday.
- Names additional participants: Michael Baumgartner (House Foreign Affairs), Ro Khanna and Chrissy Houlahan (House Armed Services).
US lawmakers visiting China seek to improve military cooperation
New information:
- Delegation met Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun and Vice Premier He Lifeng in addition to Premier Li Qiang.
- Rep. Adam Smith said the U.S. aims to improve military-to-military ties and keep communication lines open despite disagreements; Dong called strengthening communications 'the right thing to do.'
- This is the first House delegation visit to China since 2019.
- Context noted: mil-to-mil communications were suspended after Pelosi’s 2022 Taiwan visit and restored in Nov. 2023 after a Xi–Biden meeting.
- Lawmakers’ trip runs through Thursday; members include Adam Smith, Michael Baumgartner, Ro Khanna, and Chrissy Houlahan.
US lawmakers push for military dialogue in a rare China visit
New information:
- First House delegation to visit Beijing since 2019; meeting held at the Great Hall of the People
- Premier Li Qiang called it an “icebreaking trip”; Rep. Adam Smith emphasized restarting mil‑to‑mil dialogue
- Delegation in China until Thursday; topics include trade, economy, and defense communications