In what would be the first speech to a joint session of Congress by a communist president, Chinese leader Xi Jinping is pressing the White House to clear the way for him to address lawmakers in the House chamber during his state visit in September.
Diplomatic sources said Xi is eager to make his case for expanded trade and his country’s role in international affairs. He also believes that his country deserves star billing as it emerges as a world economic superpower.
He also feels the speech is deserved because Japan’s prime minister spoke to a joint session last month.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Chinese President Xi Jinping exchange documents at the signing ceremony in the Kremlin in Moscow, Friday, May 8, 2015. AP Photo
The request could result in a political struggle, and it appears the White House is not eager to pressure House Speaker John Boehner to make the invitation. Congressional conservatives are wary of China and Beijing’s ever-expanding military and economic policies.
“This is serious politics,” said one source following the issue.
It also could rekindle the animosity between Boehner and the White House over the speaker’s recent invitation to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address Congress over objections from President Obama.
In that case, Boehner was slapped by the White House for breaching protocol by not clearing the invitation with the White House first. In this case, however, the White House seems to be shifting responsibility to Boehner, who has been critical of Chinese monetary and environmental policies.
The Japanese news service Nikkei reported that the request from China was made to Treasury Secretary Jack Lew during a recent visit to Beijing and that he said it was up to Congress to extend an invitation.
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected].
