US tipped to press China on Houthi Red Sea attacks in talks in Thailand
- US envoy Jake Sullivan expected to use meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to reapply pressure on Beijing over the Iran-backed militias
- Beijing has been reluctant to contribute to Washington-led operations in the shipping lanes
The White House on Thursday confirmed that US national security adviser Jake Sullivan will meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Thailand on Friday and Saturday, in an effort to “maintain strategic communication and responsibly manage the relationship”.
The Wall Street Journal reported earlier that Sullivan and Wang were expected to discuss attacks on ships in the Red Sea carried out by Iran-backed Houthi militias.
White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said this week that China had influence over Tehran and the ability to “have conversations with Iranian leaders that we can’t”.
“And so, what we’ve said repeatedly is: we would welcome a constructive role by China, using the influence and the access that we know they have, to try to help stem the flow of weapons and munitions to the Houthis,” Kirby said.