A senior official of the Bush administration stressed in Washington Thursday that the United States supports the one-China principle. 

In a background briefing on Vice President Richard Cheney's forthcoming trip to Asia, the official said that there has been no change in the US policy and the United States supports the one-China principle.

"We are opposed to unilateral efforts by either party to change the circumstances in the Taiwan Straits; that the difference there need to be reconciled by peaceful means," the senior official said.

'Sino-US relation very important'

The official also said that the US relationship with China is "every important" and is in "relatively good shape."

"I think the (US) relationship with China is -- one, it is very important; two, it is in relatively good shape," the official said.

He said that the economic relationship is very important to the United States and China, and is "growing significantly every year."

However, the official also admitted that there are disagreements between the two sides, which is normal.

He said that the two countries have been able to work together on some important issues, such as the Korean nuclear problem and the global war on terror.

"So I generally feel good about the state of our relationship between our administration and the government of China," the official said. "And I expect it will improve in the months and years ahead."

Vice President Cheney will begin his three-Asian nation trip Friday, which will take him to Japan, China and the Republic of Korea. He will arrive in Beijing next Tuesday.

(Xinhua News Agency April 9, 2004)