WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Stephen F. Lynch (D-MA), a senior member of Subcommittee on National Security, is part of a bipartisan congressional delegation mission this week that includes stops in China, Mongolia and Ukraine. The delegation is led by Congressman Steve Chabot (R-OH), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific. During this mission, the two will meet with Chinese, Mongolian and Ukrainian government officials, political leadership and business groups among others. The purpose of the delegation is to conduct official discussions with high-ranking government leaders regarding political, economic, and security issues affecting bilateral and regional relationships in China, Mongolia and Ukraine.
During the visit to China, Congressman Lynch met with high-ranking Chinese officials. In his meeting, Congressman Lynch raised serious concerns regarding the recent dispute involving Chinese Oil companies and the Government of Vietnam near the Paracel islands as well as other maritime disputes brought on by aggressive Chinese territorial policies in the East China and South China seas. Congressman Lynch defended the intellectual property rights of U.S. companies doing business in China and expressed strong opposition to widespread cyber-attacks against U.S. government agencies and U.S. companies that have been traced back to China-based entities.
The visit to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, comes on the heels of Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel’s visit last month and as the country continues its political and economic development as the only Asian Communist nation to successfully transition to democracy. In particular, the CODEL will examine key issues pertaining to the strategic partnership between the U.S. and Mongolia, including supporting greater bilateral trade and economic reforms, and further strengthening the U.S.-Mongolian defense relationship. The Members will also meet with Mongolian soldiers that served in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. As a senior member of the House Oversight Committee that has been investigating the September 11, 2012 attacks on the diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, Congressman Lynch will also assess the progress of ongoing security upgrades and construction at Embassy Ulaanbaatar.
The visit to Ukraine comes in the aftermath of continued violence in eastern Ukraine and in advance of the Presidential Elections that will be held on May 25th. The delegation will meet with government officials, democratic opposition leaders and U.S. State Department officials in Kiev to continue to assess the ongoing situation in Crimea. This will be Congressman Lynch’s second visit to Ukraine since Russia’s recent invasion and annexation of Crimea.