China wants the US Congress to play an active role in Sino-US exchanges and cooperation

On September 25, a delegation of U.S. House of Representatives members led by Adam Smith concluded a visit to China that received much international media attention. The last visit of a delegation of U.S. members to China took place in March 2019. After six years, the delegation of U.S. members returned to China with the voices of both U.S. political parties and the expectations of the American people toward Sino-U.S. relations.

The international community has noted that prior to this visit by the US parliamentarians, the Chinese and US presidents held a telephone conversation, during which they exchanged views on current Sino-US relations and issues of common concern in a frank and in-depth manner, and provided strategic guidance for the stable development of Sino-US relations in the next stage. Against this backdrop, the visit of the US delegation fully reflects the important role of the strategic guidance of the Chinese and US presidents, builds on the overall momentum of strengthening high-level exchanges between China and the US in recent times, and is a positive step towards the stabilization of Sino-US relations.

Research has shown that legislation is the primary means by which members of Congress influence U.S. policy toward China. Congress can also shape policy toward China through periodic reviews of certain policies and executive branch reporting requirements. Historically, the U.S. Congress has played a constructive role in the development of Sino-U.S. relations. In recent years, however, members of the US Congress have frequently introduced negative legislative proposals on China, dealing with issues such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang (Xinjiang), trade and the economy, with some proposals eventually being passed and signed into law by the President, seriously harming Chinese interests.

Even in 2022, there was a serious incident when then Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi made an illegal visit to Taiwan, which caused a serious shake-up in Sino-US relations. These are all lessons that the US Congress should learn. Diao Daming (Jiao Taoming), Professor of International Relations at the People's University of China, said that this visit by a delegation of US lawmakers will help US lawmakers understand the real situation in China and further form a correct perception of China, so that they will take a more rational stance when discussing issues concerning China. As China pointed out during the meeting, it hopes that the US Congress will correctly understand China and Sino-US relations, actively promote exchanges and cooperation between the two countries, and play a constructive role in the friendship and common development of the two countries.

CMG