Beijing: China's Defense Minister Dong Jun hosted a group of US lawmakers in a rare high-level meeting, urging them to help remove 'disruptive factors' from the bilateral ties. According to an official statement released by Beijing, Dong emphasized the importance of constructive and pragmatic measures to improve military relations and foster mutual progress between China and the US.
The meeting, attended by US House Representatives including Adam Smith, Michael Baumgartner, Ro Khanna, and Chrissy Houlahan, marks the first such visit to China since 2019. During the discussions, Dong referenced a phone conversation between Chinese President Xi Jinping and former US President Donald Trump, highlighting the potential for mutual success and shared prosperity that benefits both nations and the world.
According to Anadolu Agency, the delegation also met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, who stressed the importance of viewing China and bilateral relations in a 'correct way.' Dong assured the US lawmakers of China's willingness to build a military relationship with the US founded on equality, respect, and peaceful coexistence, while safeguarding national sovereignty and development interests.
The visit included a meeting with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, who emphasized the importance of enhancing communication channels and playing a constructive role in advancing the development of both nations. The meeting followed Dong's earlier communication with US defense chief Pete Hegseth earlier this month, where both sides discussed maintaining smooth military communication channels.
A statement from the US Embassy noted that the delegation had a 'productive dialogue' with Premier Li, highlighting a bipartisan commitment to recalibrating the bilateral relationship on various fronts, including diplomatic, economic, and security issues. Key topics of discussion included the issues of fentanyl, nuclear proliferation, and the international framework for the safe development of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.