In marking the 25th anniversary of its normalization of relations with China, the United States said Wednesday that it looks forward to deepening the bilateral relationship in the future. 

"Over the past 25 years, we have worked to transform the relationship from its tentative beginnings to one where today we have a wide-ranging, candid, constructive and cooperative dialogue about issues that are important to the peace, security and prosperity of the world," Adam Ereli, deputy spokesman for the US Department of State, said in a statement.

China and the United States established diplomatic relations on January 1, 1979.

"We look forward to continuing and deepening that dialogue and cooperation in the coming years," he told a regular press briefing.

China and the United States have made major progress in their bilateral relations in 2003, characterized by two meetings between Chinese President Hu Jintao and his US counterpart George W. Bush, and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's successful visit to the United States earlier this month. 

(Xinhua News Agency January 1, 2004)