US and Chinese officials met for the second round of US-China Middle East Dialogue in Washington aimed at Syria, Iran and the Middle East Peace, according to the State Department late Thursday. Under the framework of the US-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhai Jun discussed ways for both countries to promote greater cooperation on regional issues and global challenges, including energy security and the developments in the Middle East. According to a State Department statement, the U.S. reiterated its commitment to building a cooperative partnership with China and welcomed China playing a more active and positive role in the Middle East.