US remains firm on its commitments to 'one China' policy

Washington DC: The United States has said that it remains firmly committed to "one China" policy which is based on the three joint communiques and the Taiwan Relations Act.

U.S. State Department spokesperson John Kirby said this policy has supported their fundamental interest in peaceful and stable cross-strait relations through both Democratic and Republican administrations over the past 40 years.

"We do not believe that altering this approach is going to serve our fundamental interest in cross-strait peace and stability or strengthen our relations with the people of Taiwan or, frankly, improve our ability to shape China`s decisions going forward," he said.

"We will remain clear with Chinese leaders, as well as Taiwan, our commitment to this "one China" policy and our commitment, as I said, to better - I should say peaceful and stable cross-strait relations," he added.

Kirby said that he can`t predict what the new administration will actually implement in terms of China policy but the Obama administration is going to stay focused on the policy that the U.S. has been pursuing and has pursued for four-plus decades in terms of a "one China" policy.

President-elect Donald Trump had questioned as to why the United States was continuing to abide by its long-standing position that Taiwan is part of "one China" policy.

"I fully understand the `one China` policy, but I don`t know why we have to be bound by a `one China` policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade," CNN quoted Trump, as saying on a local news channel.

Trump`s remark comes weeks after he had taken a congratulatory call from the President of Taiwan Tsai Ing-wen which had angered the Chinese officials.