CHINA’S top diplomat was set to meet a senior US security adviser in Bangkok today as the countries seek to improve relations.

The meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan was set to take place in the Thai capital, where both are separately meeting Thai officials.

They were expected to discuss tensions in the Red Sea that have upended global trade by forcing many shippers to avoid use of the Suez Canal.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Wednesday that China has been in “close communication with all parties concerned and making positive efforts to de-escalate” the conflict, during which the Houthi-led Yemeni government has attacked ships it says are linked to Israel amid its savage attack on Gaza, prompting US and British bombing raids on Yemen.

Foreign Minister Wang and Mr Sullivan are separately holding bilateral talks with Thai officials. 

The Thai Foreign Ministry announced that Mr Wang is set to meet with his counterpart on Saturday to sign an agreement exempting Thai nationals from requiring visas to visit China, and on Monday will meet the prime minister.