President Hu Jintao greets visiting US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Beijing yesterday. (China Daily Photo/Wu Zhiyi)

Visiting US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said yesterday she expects to see "more solid" relations between Washington and Beijing.

During a meeting with President Hu Jintao, Rice said the United States appreciates Chinese efforts in resolving issues such as Darfur, and hopes China will continue to play a positive role.

She reiterated her country's adherence to the one-China policy and again warned the Taiwan authorities against an attempt to hold a referendum on the island's UN membership.

At an earlier news conference with Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, she said: "I think we have been very clear that we think that this referendum is not going to help anyone and, in fact, it shouldn't be held.

"I have said that before and I will say it again."

During his meeting with Rice, Hu called for a cautious handling of the Taiwan question.