House Democrats to talk cybersecurity in China

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and six other Democrats are using the upcoming recess for a trip to China that will focus on a number of pressing topics, including cybersecurity, The Associated Press reported.

The trip comes as the U.S. and China are trying to find a diplomatic solution to reduce Beijing’s alleged widespread digital campaign to pilfer American corporate secrets.

During Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit in September, the two sides agreed to a “common understanding” not to conduct or condone any corporate hacking. But security researchers have accused the Asian power of already violating that pact.

China is also suspected of orchestrating the devastating hacks at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which left over 20 million federal workers’ most sensitive information exposed.

In addition to cybersecurity, the House delegation will discuss national security, climate change and human rights with Chinese officials and students

“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.

Pelosi’s group includes Democratic Reps. Jim McGovern (Mass.), Betty McCollum (Minn.), Tim Walz (Minn.), Joyce Beatty (Ohio), Alan Lowenthal (Calif.) and Ted Lieu (Calif.).

Lieu has quickly become a prominent voice on cybersecurity since his election last November.

In the wake of the OPM hacks, he was the first lawmaker to call for then-OPM Director Katherine Archuleta to resign, which she did several weeks later.

Lieu has also been a staunch proponent of strong encryption with no guaranteed access for government officials. The topic has been major source of concern for U.S. businesses in China, as the country advances laws that might require require foreign companies to use Beijing-approved encryption.

Pelosi last traveled to China in 2009.