Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs

In response to a media inquiry on whether China expects US Senator Steve Daines' visit to China to lay the groundwork for the meeting between the heads of state of China and the US, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a press briefing on Friday that China welcomes Senator Daines' visit, and also welcomes people from all sectors of the US, including members of Congress, to visit China.

China has always believed that maintaining a stable, healthy, and sustainable China-US relationship serves the common interests of the two peoples and meets the general expectations of the international community, said Mao.

Daines, a Republican from Montana, arrived in the Chinese capital on Thursday after meeting top leaders in Vietnam, according to social media posts by him and the US Embassy in Beijing. He said on X earlier this week that he would be talking with Chinese officials about issues of fentanyl and "trade deficit," the Associated Press reported.

In response to another question on Daines' remarks about the two issues mentioned, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at the same press briefing that China has always believed that the two sides should address each other's concerns through dialogue and consultation based on equality and mutual respect.

Global Times