WASHINGTON, Feb. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- U.S. State Department deputy spokesman Adam Ereli said on Monday the United States opposes any unilateral move to change the status quo across the Taiwan Straitsand does not support "Taiwan independence."

    When asked about what steps Washington will take after Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian declared on Monday that the "National Unification Council" shall "cease to function" and the unification guidelines shall "cease to apply," Ereli said the United States will continue to demand Chen abide by his promise that the status quo will remain unchanged.

    "We continue to stress the importance of dialogue between Beijing and Taiwan on cross-strait issues," he said at a briefing.

    "Our policy on cross-strait relations has not changed. Our one-China policy is based on the Three Communiques and the Taiwan Relations Act. We are, of course, opposed to any unilateral change to the status quo by either side and we do not support 'Taiwan independence'," Ereli said.

    Also on Monday, White House spokesman Scott McClellan also saidat a briefing that the U.S. one-China policy "remains based on the Three Communiques, the Taiwan Relations Act and our belief that there should be no unilateral change in the status quo by either side."

    The U.S. policy on cross-Straits relations has been clear and consistent, said McClellan.

    Chen Shui-bian's provocative move came despite strong criticism from the Chinese mainland and opposition parties in Taiwan over his secessionist activities.

    The so-called Taiwan Relations Act, unilaterally adopted by theU.S. side in 1979, violates China's sovereignty, interferes in China's internal affairs and runs counter to the principles enshrined in the three joint communiques between China and the United States.

    The Chinese government has been all along firmly opposed to theTaiwan Relations Act. Enditem