US patching things up

China's warm response to the positive remarks by United States President Barack Obama and other US officials this week indicates that Beijing is willing to work with Washington to bring bilateral ties out of troubled waters.

Obama said the US-China relationship is both comprehensive and important after he met with China's new ambassador Zhang Yesui on Monday. Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg told reporters in Washington that the US position on the one-China policy remains unchanged. Steinberg also reaffirmed that Washington considers Tibet a part of China and does not support the "independence of Tibet".

It's been widely publicized that the crux of the tension between the two countries was Washington's multibillion-dollar arms sale to Taiwan and Obama's meeting with the Dalai Lama. Recently, visits by high-ranking officials from both sides have helped bridge the gap between the two nations and help renew efforts to strengthen bilateral ties. The conciliatory remarks from Obama and other US officials will hasten the healing process.