A Republican House member has just returned from China, where he was part of the first House delegation to visit the country since 2019. The visit came amid growing concerns over the potential for a new Cold War with China, as tensions continue to rise between the two nations. The delegation, which included bipartisan members, met with Premier Li Qiang and senior officials to discuss pressing matters such as military-to-military communication, trade relations, nuclear proliferation, and the global opioid crisis, particularly the issue of fentanyl.
During the visit, the member noted the palpable atmosphere of the Cold War era, describing the current situation as reminiscent of the 1980s Soviet Union. He highlighted the heightened security measures, the pervasive suspicion, and the ideological rigidity that defined the Cold War. However, the member differentiated China’s current trajectory from that of the Soviet Union, noting that while both are rising powers, China’s growing influence poses unique challenges.
The member acknowledged that the risk of conflict between a rising power and an established one is a well-documented reality, referencing the