The US government will continue to look for a close, cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship with China, a US government spokesman said on Wednesday.

"I certainly think that Secretary (of State Colin) Powell's successor will continue the policies of President (George W.) Bush, which is to look for a close, cooperative, mutually beneficial relationship with China," said Adam Ereli, deputy spokesman of the US State Department.

"We have so many common interests that it is critical that as two nations, we work together with all mutual respect and trust to try to achieve our common interests," Ereli said.

Speaking at the final briefing of the year at the Washington Foreign Press Center, Ereli admitted that there are disagreements between Washington and Beijing, but he also noted that "the hallmark, in our view, of a strong and good relationship is that we can be comfortable enough with each other to speak openly about what our differences are, but at the same time maintain the kind of friendship and respect to work together in areas where... there is a common purpose."

"And that is the character of the Sino-US relations over the last four years," Ereli said. "I would fully expect it to continue in the next four years."