The overall U.S.-China relationship will continue to be strong and positive after the U.S. midterm elections, said a U.S. expert on China issues.

"Whether it is Republicans or Democrats, the United States will further ties with China and the overall relationship between the two countries will be positive," Stephen Orlins, president of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, told Xinhua on Thursday.

"Our interests are overwhelmingly complementary. We have differences, but those differences are really small in comparison to the overwhelmingly complementary interests."

"So I believe both countries will take actions to further bilateral ties," he said.

Orlins said the meeting between U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao during the G20 Summit in Seoul will further promote the development of bilateral relations.

"President Hu met President Obama today (Thursday) in Seoul on the sidelines of the G20 Summit. It is the seventh time they met," he said.

"This shows, from a broader perspective, the relationship between the two countries is very strong. The United States and China will have a stable, productive and cooperative relationship in the future."

Orlins made the remarks on the sidelines of the 2010 Gala Dinner and Awards of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, which honored Caterpillar Inc. and General Electric for their contributions to a strong U.S.-China bilateral relationship.

The National Committee on U.S.-China Relations is a a non-partisan organization that seeks to promote better understanding between China and the United States. Orlins has served as committee president since May 2005.