Pelosi, Dems heading to China

 

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and a handful of Democrats are heading this week to China, where the lawmakers are vowing to address such hot-button topics as human rights, climate change and cybersecurity.

 

“Our delegation travels to China seeking to expand cooperation between our nations in advancing economic growth and confronting the climate crisis that threatens our world,” Pelosi said in a statement. 

 

“Our Members will also seek to engage in constructive dialogue on human rights, cyber threats, and other national security and stability issues of concern.”

 

Pelosi will be joined by Democratic Reps. Jim McGovern (Mass.), Betty McCollum (Minn.), Tim Walz (Minn.), Joyce Beatty (Ohio), Alan Lowenthal (Calif.) and Ted Lieu (Calif.).

 

The visit comes amid heightened tensions between the United States and China over disputed rights to shipping lanes in the South China Sea. China is undergoing an enormous dredging operation to create habitable islands in the region in order to stake out claims to water rights –– claims disputed by the United States and a long list of Southeast Asian countries.

 

Defense Secretary Ash Carter, joined by Malaysia's defense minister, visited a U.S. carrier on the South China Sea on Thursday to send an unveiled message that the Obama administration isn't ready to cede trade routes considered by most of the world to be in international waters.

 

"The tension in this part of the world [is] mostly arising from disputes over land features in the South China Sea," Carter said, according to Reuters. 

 

The two superpowers have also faced off over suspected cyber attacks by the Chinese against U.S. companies. The issue was a key part of the talks between President Obama and Xi Jinping when the Chinese president visited the United States in September.

 

There have been recent bright spots in the relationship as well. The two countries joined forces with other world powers earlier this year to forge a nuclear agreement designed to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran. And Obama, despite some criticism, lavished Xi with a formal — and rare — state dinner during the September visit.

 

Pelosi and the Democrats are emphasizing that diplomatic efforts like this month's visit are vital to ironing out any differences. 

 

“In today’s global world, it is more important than ever for the United States to work with our international partners to tackle the challenges we face,” McGovern said in a statement. 

 

“On this trip, I look forward to continuing the dialogue between our two nations as we discuss ways to grow the global economy, address climate change, and strengthen human rights."