At a meeting with US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte, a senior Chinese official Sunday urged the United States not to send wrong signals to Taiwan separatists.

"The activities of Taiwan separatists pose a major threat to peace and stability in the Taiwan strait," said Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan.

He hoped the US would keep its promise to safeguard the peace and stability of the Taiwan Straits as well as its relationship with China.

Negroponte said the United States would firmly adhere to the one-China policy and observe the three China-US joint communiqués.

Negroponte arrived in Beijing Saturday, one leg of tours to China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, his first overseas visit since taking up his new position on February 27.

His China visit comes at a time of controversy about planned US sales of more than 400 missiles worth US$421 million to Taiwan.

Negroponte also met with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo and Yang Jiechi Saturday, and the latter asked the US side to stop selling weapons to Taiwan.

The state councilor said China and the United States should implement the agreement reached by the two heads of states, promote strategic trust, deepen cooperation and properly handle disputes and sensitive issues, so that China-US relations can develop in a healthy and stable manner.

Negroponte said that the US-China relationship would be critically important in the 21st century, as the two countries have a lot of common interests in international affairs.

He said the United States is keen to develop constructive and cooperative relations with China.

(Xinhua News Agency March 4, 2007)