Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (left) and Shanghai Party Secretary Chen Jining during a meeting in Shanghai, China, on October 7. (Source: Getty)

Mr. Schumer said the US wants to achieve a fair and level playing field for its companies.

The congressman also stressed the need for a “reciprocal” approach that allows American companies to compete as freely in China as Chinese companies can compete in the United States.

For his part, Mr. Chen Jining said that the relationship between the US and China is the most important bilateral relationship in the world, affirming that the two sides need to cooperate with each other.

Mr. Schumer is leading a bipartisan congressional delegation to Asia, including stops in South Korea and Japan. The trip is intended to promote U.S. economic and national security interests.

The delegation will meet with government officials and business leaders in the Asian countries, as well as US companies operating in the region.

The trip follows a visit to China by a series of senior US officials, including Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, in August.