US Lawmakers Push for Military Communication, Trade Talks in Rare Trip to China

The congressional delegation was led by Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee.

Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) (2nd L), ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, leads a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers for a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Beijing on Sept. 21, 2025. Mahesh Kumar A./Pool/AFP via Getty Images

A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Sept. 21, kicking off the first visit from House representatives to China in six years.

In his opening remarks, Li described the U.S. delegation’s visit as an “ice-breaking trip” that would further the ties between the two countries.