China has urged the United States to take substantive and effective measures to constrain Taiwan "president" Chen Shui-bian's secessionist activities.

During a meeting with George Schwab, president of the National Committee on American Foreign Policy, on Monday, State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan urged the United States to abide by the one-China policy in a serious way.

He stressed that opposing and containing "Taiwan independence" and protecting the peace and stability of the Taiwan Straits conformed with the common strategic interests of the two countries.

He asked Washington to "support China's efforts to improve and develop cross-Straits relations and adopt substantive and effective measures to halt Chen Shui-bian's various 'Taiwan independence' provocations and dangerous ventures".

Tang, a former foreign minister who now helps guide the country's diplomacy, said this year would be a key one in the development of Sino-US relations and that the two sides should enhance dialogue and mutual trust to create constructive and cooperative bilateral ties.