US President Barack Obama on Thursday urged China and Taiwan to explore talks and dialogues amid concern from Washington that the recent election of a pro-independence leader in Taiwan could heighten tensions between the two sides.

A foreign affairs panel dealing with Asian affairs has reportedly assessed the implications for the White House after the recent Taiwan elections, which has created new uncertainty over the relationship between the pro-independence Taiwan and communist China.

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Susan Thornton, a senior state department official, said the US has called on China to exercise restraint and patience in dealing with the new Taiwan administration headed by pro-independence President-elect Tsai lng-wen

                                                           Obligation

Thornton said Tsai has an obligation to pursue the existing policy in keeping the cross-Strait stable, while the Chinese government has said it will have to study what direction Tsai will take in steering Taiwan affairs.

The state department official said she is hopeful that China and Taiwan would come together, hold talks and exchange cooperation to diffuse existing tensions.

" I think there is will for both sides to do so," she said.

                                                          One-China policy

China is demanding that Tsai adopt her predecessor's position that China and Taiwan belong to one nation.

Although Tsai has reiterated her refusal to acknowledge Beijing's one-China policy, she has not, however, shown any sign of totally rejecting it either.

Republican representative Matt Salmon, who is the head of the panel, said that although Tsai has vowed not to start 'provocations' and would retain the status quo, the same cannot be said about China.

                                                           More arms sale

"Despite her underscoring her intention to maintain the status quo, and saying, 'There won't be provocation and there won't be surprises,' we cannot say the same for China," he pointed out.

Salmon emphasized that Taiwan has to deal with threats to its people and sovereignty by China on a daily basis and that it would be difficult for Tsai to govern the island freely.

China has publicly declared that Taiwan is a breakaway province and that it could resort to force to get Taiwan back into fold.

US lawmakers have recommended that the US should sell more arms to Taiwan and support its participation in international organizations to protect itself.

The US is Taiwan's major ally and the largest source of arms. Since assuming office in 2009, the Obama administration has sold more than $14 billion in arms and weaponry to Taiwan, angering China.

TagsUS President Barack OBama, China-Taiwan relations, pro-independence President Tsai lng-wen, senior state department official Susan Thornton