China on Thursday expressed its willingness and openness to work with U.S. president-elect Barack Obama and his team for healthy and stable Sino-U.S. relations.

"The Chinese government holds a positive and open attitude towards contacts with Obama and his team, since it is conducive to a stable transition and the healthy and stable development of Sino-U.S relations," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang at a press conference.

China places great importance on developing constructive cooperation with the United States and is willing to work with the U.S. administration, he said. "We hope China and the United States will have more opportunities, less trouble, fewer challenges and more cooperation."

The country was willing to work with the U.S. administration in accordance with the three communiques issued by the two sides, to solve sensitive issues in bilateral ties, he said.

The three communiques, signed in 1972, 1978 and 1982, laid the basic principles for the two countries' bilateral ties. In them, the U.S. government promised to support the one-China principle and not to support "Taiwan independence".

Stable and improved relations would benefit both peoples and world peace and stability. "No matter when, we are willing to improve communication, contacts, exchanges and cooperation with the U.S.," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency November 6, 2008)