In a bid to ease tensions in the Middle East, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan urged Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to leverage China's influence with Iran. The talks took place during a two-day meeting in Thailand, following up on discussions between President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in November last year.

The discussions between Sullivan and Wang came at a crucial time, as Yemen-based Houthi rebels continue to pose a threat to global shipping in the Red Sea. Sullivan highlighted China's significant economic leverage over Iran and emphasized the destabilizing effect of the Houthi attacks on international commerce.

However, it remains uncertain whether Beijing will use its diplomatic muscle to pressure Tehran on the matter. China has publicly called for lower tensions in the region, but the outcome of these talks will determine whether it takes concrete action.

During the meeting, Wang stressed that the US should abide by its commitment not to support independence for Taiwan. He maintained China's stance that Taiwan is an integral part of its territory and considers "Taiwan independence" as the biggest challenge in US-China relations.

President Biden has stated that he does not support Taiwanese independence, but US law mandates a credible defense for Taiwan and treats any threats to the island as matters of "grave concern."

These talks also come amid recent military activities by China near Taiwan. Taiwan's defense ministry reported that China sent more than 30 warplanes and navy ships towards the island during a 24-hour period. The Chinese aircraft crossed the unofficial boundary, known as the midline of the Taiwan Strait.

Furthermore, Sullivan and Wang discussed a range of other issues, such as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the situations in North Korea and Myanmar, as well as the ongoing disputes in the South China Sea. They also touched upon the progress made towards organizing a dialogue on artificial intelligence between US and Chinese officials later this year.

The meeting ended with Wang urging both countries to reflect on their past experiences and treat each other as equals, rather than adopting a condescending attitude. He emphasized the importance of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation in order to establish a correct way for China and the US to interact.

The next step in US-China relations will be the inaugural meeting of the US-China Counternarcotics Working Group scheduled for Tuesday. The group aims to combat the illegal manufacturing of fentanyl, which has its origins primarily in China.

The outcome of these discussions will be closely monitored, as the stability and cooperation between the US and China have global implications. Both nations are now confronted with the challenge of maintaining competition without veering into conflict or confrontation.