American delegation in China: Let’s talk more often

BANGKOK — A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers pushed for more military-to-military dialogue in a meeting Sunday with China’s Premier Li Qiang, a rare congressional visit since the U.S.-China relations soured.

The last trip by a group of senators was in 2023. Sunday’s delegation was the first from the House of Representatives to visit Beijing since 2019.

Li welcomed the delegates — led by Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash. — and called it an “icebreaking trip that will further the ties between the two countries.”

“It is important for our two countries to have more exchanges and cooperation,” Li said.

Smith, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, said both sides were in agreement on the overarching aim of the visit.

“Certainly, trade and economy is on the top of the list … (but also) we