China’s foreign minister welcomes US congressional delegation

By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) - Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Tuesday with a delegation of US lawmakers in Beijing, describing their trip as an "ice-breaking journey” for China-US relations.

The trip was the first to China by a delegation of members of the US House of Representatives since 2019.

The two sides held "a candid and in-depth exchange of views" on strengthening communication and promoting "the stable, healthy and sustainable development of China-US relations," according to a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

The delegation was led by Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee.

Wang expressed hope that the visit will help Washington to understand China better and conduct friendly interactions while actively exploring cooperation between the two sides.

"The current stabilization of China-US relations is hard-won and should be cherished," he said, noting the two phone calls held this year between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping "set the tone and direction" for the advancement and development of bilateral ties.

Wang said that China's door is "always open" and that more US lawmakers are welcome to visit China and engage in dialogue.

China and the US are "partners, not rivals," and much less enemies, said Wang.

He called on the US to strengthen exchanges and dialogue, "avoid misunderstandings and misjudgments, prevent confrontation and opposition, promote mutually beneficial cooperation," and share the responsibilities of "major powers."

Wang also called Taiwan an "internal affair."

Washington made a political commitment to the one-China principle, he said, adding that "maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait requires firm opposition to 'Taiwan independence.'"

China’s Defense Minister Dong Jun hosted the US lawmakers in a rare event on Monday, during which he urged the bipartisan group to help eliminate "disruptive" factors in bilateral ties.

Dong met members of the US House of Representatives including Smith, Michael Baumgartner, Ro Khanna and Chrissy Houlahan.

"It is vitally important that China allow increased regular direct communication between its military and the US military...and that it partner with the US to help bring the Russia-Ukraine conflict to a close and keep Iran from nuclear proliferation," Baumgartner said Monday on the US social media company X’s platform.

The group of US lawmakers arrived in China on Sunday.