A House delegation, led by Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA), arrived in Beijing, China over the weekend, and held a rare in-person meeting with Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun on Monday.
Dong’s appearance marked a significant diplomatic event, especially amid reports of corruption investigations affecting the Communist Party. He had only returned to public life the previous week, where he made a speech warning supporters of Taiwan by asserting that the Communist Party is “always ready to counter external interference.”
This visit stands out notably since it was the first by a House delegation to China since 2019. Rep. Smith had previously supported former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s controversial visit to Taiwan in 2022, which had significant repercussions in the region.
The Chinese Communist Party had expressed strong disapproval of Pelosi’s visit, even drawing comparisons to the tensions surrounding the death of George Floyd in Minnesota, and subsequently took actions like cutting military communications with the US.
“In my view, we shouldn’t let China dictate such matters. Nancy Pelosi is a prominent figure domestically. If she chooses to visit Taiwan, she has every right to do so,” he noted at that time.
Rep. Smith, who serves as a top member of the House Armed Services Committee, was joined by colleagues including RO Khanna (D-CA), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), and Michael Baumgartner (R-WA). Before meeting with Dong, they had discussions with Prime Minister Li Qiang, a more traditional leader who often meets with visiting dignitaries. The state-backed outlet, Global Times, referred to their visit, alongside a call between Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, as “significant progress” toward mending ties between Washington and Beijing.
Dong used his time with the US lawmakers to encourage them to “take constructive and practical steps to avoid destructive factors” and help improve military relations. He stated that the Chinese military is open to building a relationship with the US based on principles of equality and peaceful coexistence.
However, the Global Times has also criticized the US Congress for taking actions perceived as negative, like legislation condemning China’s human rights abuses, including the treatment of Uyghurs and Tibetans, as well as the stifling of dissent in Hong Kong.
Dong’s visit was framed as a new opportunity for US-China relations, although it was emphasized that ongoing effort from both sides is required to fully capitalize on this chance.
The backdrop of this meeting includes recent upheaval within China’s Ministry of Defense, which saw two defense ministers removed amid corruption scandals. Wei Fenghe resigned earlier in 2023, and his successor, Li Shangfu, was also expelled in August under similar circumstances. Dong Jun assumed the role quietly afterward.
Reports from the Financial Times indicate that Dong is currently under investigation himself, further complicating the picture. He recently spoke at a defense forum in Beijing, reiterating China’s stance that Taiwan’s reintegration is a key part of the postwar international order and asserting that attempts at Taiwanese independence will be met with force.
Interestingly, many observers note that Taiwan has functioned independently for decades and operates as a sovereign nation, despite China’s claims to the contrary.
The dialogue between Dong and the US lawmakers came shortly after President Trump described his conversation with Xi as “very productive.” Trump announced plans to visit China in early 2026, with Xi also reportedly indicating a willingness to visit the US.
Trump shared that progress had been made on various important topics, including trade and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, marking a potential thaw in relations.
