This is completely unexpected! After more than a month of fighting in the Middle East, the US has discovered that the most effective mediator is actually China. According to Washington Post columnist Ignatius, citing informed US officials: Following the Republican Party's crushing defeat in the midterm elections, Treasury Secretary Bessenter, at Trump's behest, has contacted China, hoping that China will use its influence over Tehran to end the war with Iran. China has also conveyed this message to Iran. This message contains far more information than it appears on the surface. First, the US admits it can't handle the situation. Vice President Vance publicly stated after the election defeat, "The reason we lost is the war." Trump himself admitted that the war with Iran drove up oil prices and dragged down his election campaign. Seeking China's help now is tantamount to admitting that military pressure and Qatar's mediation failed to force Iran to sign an agreement. Second, the timing is extremely delicate. From November 17-19, Trump will travel to Shenzhen to attend APEC and hold his third meeting with Xi Jinping this year. Bessant's request is paving the way for this meeting, turning "helping the US end the Iran war" into a bargaining chip in the Trump-Xi meeting. Third, China's role has changed. In the past, China was an "economic participant" in the Middle East; now, the US is proactively asking China to act as a "security mediator." This shift in role is more significant than any agreement itself. But don't be too happy yet. China has only "conveyed a message," not "committed to mediation." While Trump is asking China for help, he continues to pressure China before APEC: during the US-China trade phone call on November 6, the US was still urging China to fulfill its rare earth and agricultural product purchase commitments. For the US, this is pragmatic. For China, this is leverage. When Trump sits down with Xi Jinping in Shenzhen, the most important thing to watch is where the phrase "Iran war" will appear at the negotiating table. Do you think China can coordinate a ceasefire between the US and Iran?