White House: U.S.-China ties in "good shape"

WASHINGTON, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The White House said on Monday the bilateral relationship between the United States and China is in "good shape" although there are a number of differences between the two countries.

"We have a mature relationship with China," Jeffrey Bader, senior director for Asian affairs of the White House's National Security Council, told reporters.

"I think the relationship is in good shape," Bader added, responding to questions at a briefing on President Barack Obama's coming trip to the Asia-Pacific region.

"We have a number of differences, and we are talking about them. I would not describe it as a relationship of tension," the senior White House official said.

Bader accompanied Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg in a trip to China and Japan in early March.

The trip came at a time China-U.S. relations were at a low point due to the recent announcement of U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and Obama's meeting with the Dalai Lama last month.