The US said on Wednesday that the smooth development of the US-China ties is important to the success of US foreign policies.

"The United States and China relations will be central to our success in nearly all fronts of our foreign policy," said US Deputy Secretary of State John D. Negroponte when addressing the annual dinner of National Committee on US-China Relations (NCUSCR).

"Now the challenge is much more expansive," he said, adding "we are building US-China cooperation in third areas of the world, from Iran to western Sudan."

"China is one of our most important bilateral relationships," he stressed.

Negroponte expressed satisfaction with the regular and close contacts between leaders of the two countries, saying the two countries' presidents see each other several times a year and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice participates in regular meetings and holds telephone calls with her Chinese counterpart.

Elaborating on challenges that will require Sino-US cooperation "now and in the generation to come," he said that both countries should strengthen cooperation in such areas as fighting terrorism, dealing with threats from what he called "weak, poorly governed and failing states," ensuring continued global economic prosperity, enforcing non-proliferation norms and tackling together the multifaceted challenges of energy security, economic activity and climate change.

On the Taiwan question, Negroponte stressed the importance of upholding the one-China policy, and said "We do not support Taiwan independence. And that United States opposes unilateral acts by either side that attempts to change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait."

"We believe that it is up to the people on both sides of the Strait to resolve their differences peacefully," he noted.

As for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, he said, the coming year will see China host athletes from approximately 200 participating teams at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. "This represents the proud culmination of years of efforts by China's leaders, athletes and citizens."

"The United States wants successful Games," he said.

The NCUSCR was established in 1966 to promote understanding and cooperation between the US and China with the belief that sound and productive Sino-American relations serve vital American and world interests. In 1972, it sponsored the historic visit of China's Ping-Pong team to the US.

(Xinhua News Agency October 26, 2007)