US Lawmakers Urge China to Open Military Talks Amid Rising Risks
Beijing, China – Adam Smith, the top Democrat on Washington’s Armed Services Committee, called on China to increase military communication with other global powers to prevent accidents and misunderstandings.
Speaking at a news conference at the US Embassy in Beijing, Smith highlighted close encounters between US and Chinese forces. “We’ve seen our ships and planes, and their ships and planes, coming entirely too close to one another,” he said. “We need to have a better conversation about de-conflicting those things.”
Smith is part of a four-member bipartisan congressional delegation visiting China. Alongside Democrats Ro Khanna and Chrissy Houlahan, the group also includes Republican Michael Baumgartner, a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee.
On Monday, the delegation met with Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun to discuss the need for “working through our differences” and encouraging more candid dialogue, according to a US statement. Xinhua, China’s state news agency, reported that Dong urged the delegation to “remove disruptive and restrictive factors” in their relations.
Speaking on Tuesday with fellow lawmakers and US Ambassador to China David Perdue, Smith stressed the dangers of rapid technological developments. “AI and drone warfare, cyber, and space are moving so rapidly,” he said. “The risk of a misunderstanding of capabilities on one side or the other is great. We need to talk so we don’t stumble into conflicts.”
Trade, TikTok, and Tariffs
The visit comes shortly after a phone call between Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump, marking their second conversation since Trump’s return to the White House. Trump confirmed plans to meet Xi at an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea next month and also indicated a visit to China next year.
Earlier this year, the two nations clashed in a tariff dispute that disrupted global supply chains. A partial deal later eased tensions, with the US imposing 30 percent tariffs on certain Chinese imports and China responding with a 10 percent levy on American products. That agreement is set to expire in November.
During their visit, Smith’s delegation also met Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng to discuss trade talks and key issues such as fentanyl, critical minerals, and the future of TikTok in the US. The White House has proposed a homegrown version of TikTok to address security concerns, but Smith said the matter “has not been 100 percent resolved.”
The lawmakers are scheduled to meet additional Chinese officials, including National People’s Congress Chairman Zhao Leji and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, before concluding their visit.
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