US House members make first China visit since 2019

Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday met in Beijing with a visiting United States House of Representatives delegation, describing the trip as an ice-breaking journey and urging more communication to avoid misunderstandings and prevent confrontation.

The delegation, led by US Representative Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, is the first group of members of the US House of Representatives to visit China since 2019.

Wang said China's door is always open and welcomed more US lawmakers to visit and engage in dialogue.

Wang expressed hope that the visit would help the United States gain an accurate understanding of China, view the country objectively, approach differences rationally, engage in friendly interactions, and actively explore opportunities for cooperation.

Such efforts, Wang said, would contribute to achieving truly stable, sound and sustainable development of China-US relations and ultimately help the two countries find the right way to coexist as major powers to benefit both sides and beyond.

The trip also came just two days after a phone call between the two heads of state. Highlighting the irreplaceable role of head-of-state diplomacy in steering bilateral ties, Wang noted that the recent stabilization of bilateral relations has not come easily and should be cherished.

China and the US are partners, not rivals, let alone enemies, Wang said, adding that as two major countries, they should advance mutually beneficial cooperation and shoulder shared responsibilities.

On the Taiwan question, Wang reiterated that it is China's internal affair, and that both sides of the Strait belonged to one China since ancient times—this, he said, is the true status quo.

Noting Washington has made political commitments on the one-China principle, he emphasized that safeguarding peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait requires resolute opposition to "Taiwan independence."