China and the United States have further clarified their principled stances on the Taiwan issue, which helps to safeguard peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said yesterday.

Such a move will also "promote development, prosperity and stability of the Asia-Pacific region," the spokesman told a regular press briefing.

During his state visit to the United States from April 18 to 21, Chinese President Hu Jintao exchanged views with U.S. President George W. Bush on the issue, Qin said.

Hu expounded China's views on the current situation of the Taiwan Strait and China's principled stance on the issue, he said.

China appreciates the statements repeatedly made by President Bush and the U.S. government on their adherence to the one-China policy, observance of the three Sino-U.S. joint communiques and opposition to "Taiwan independence," Qin said.

Bush said the U.S. government's position on the Taiwan issue has not changed and the United States will stick to the one-China policy, the United States understands China's concern on this issue and does not want to see any unilateral action by the Taiwan authorities to change the status quo across the strait affect U.S.-China relations, according to the spokesman.