BEIJING (AP) - The United States and China are struggling to communicate effectively on critical issues, as indicated by U.S. Representative Adam Smith, who is leading a bipartisan congressional delegation to Beijing. This visit marks the first by the House of Representatives to China since 2019 and comes at a time of heightened tensions between the two nations, primarily concerning trade, technology, and differing perspectives on global conflicts.
The primary goal of the trip, as articulated by Smith, is to enhance dialogue between the two countries. He emphasized the necessity of starting discussions by understanding each party's position, stating, "You have to be willing to start the process of saying, 'Okay, this is where I’m coming from, where are you coming from?' And we’re not even at that point yet. We’re still sort of talking past each other."
During the visit, the U.S. delegation expressed their desire for China to take substantive steps to mitigate the influx of fentanyl into the United States. They also voiced concerns regarding China's control over the global supply of rare earth materials, a topic highlighted in a readout from the House Armed Services Committee prior to their departure.
Smith shared his apprehensions about the operational proximity of U.S. and Chinese militaries, advocating for increased communication to prevent potential conflicts. He noted, "We’ve seen this with our ships and our planes, their ships, their planes, coming entirely too close to one another." He compared the current situation to the Cold War era, where both superpowers maintained regular communication and treaties.
Recent U.S. military reports indicated alarming encounters, such as a Chinese fighter jet coming within 10 feet of an American bomber over the South China Sea in October 2023. Smith reiterated his hope for more comprehensive engagement with Beijing, suggesting that dialogue could lead to resolving issues that once appeared insurmountable.
The congressional delegation included key figures: Michael Baumgartner, a Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, alongside Democrats Ro Khanna and Chrissy Houlahan, both part of the House Armed Services Committee. They initiated talks with Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun and Vice Premier He Lifeng, following discussions with Premier Li Qiang earlier in their visit.
This dialogue is particularly vital as U.S.-Chinese military communications had been suspended for over a year, triggered by former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's controversial visit to Taiwan in August 2022, which provoked China's anger. Communication between the two military forces was resumed in November 2023 after a significant meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and then-U.S. President Joe Biden. However, the frequency of these military interactions remains unclear, with Smith not addressing this matter during his interactions with reporters on Tuesday.
In addition to diplomatic efforts, former President Donald Trump announced plans to meet with Xi Jinping at a regional summit in South Korea later in October and to visit China in early 2024, following a detailed phone conversation with Xi. The congressional delegation's trip to China will extend until Thursday, as they aim to foster a constructive atmosphere for dialogue and collaboration between the two nations.
