The Obama administration says it is urging China and Taiwan to maintain dialogue amid concern that the election of an independence-leaning party on the island could heighten tensions in one of Asia's security hotspots.

A House foreign affairs panel on Asia examined the implications for Washington of the January election that throws new uncertainty over the relationship between democratic Taiwan and the communist mainland, which claims the island as its own territory, to be recovered by force if necessary.

The United States is Taiwan's most important ally and source of defensive arms, but it has applauded the easing of cross-Strait relations under the outgoing Nationalist government, which fostered economic cooperation with China.

Senior State Department official Susan Thornton said Thursday that the US has called on China to show restraint and flexibility in working with Taiwan's new administration under Tsai Ing-wen's Democratic Progressive Party, which takes office in May. She said Tsai understands her obligations to pursue a policy to enable cross-Strait stability, and Beijing says it will look to see what Tsai proposes.

Thorton said she was hopeful the two sides could come with a basis for continuing exchanges. "I think there is a will on both sides to do so," Thornton told the hearing.

China is demanding that Tsai, like her predecessor, agree that the mainland and Taiwan are part of a single Chinese nation. Tsai has refused to endorse Beijing's "one China principle" but hasn't publicly repudiated it either.

Republican and Democratic lawmakers were critical of Beijing's attitude.

"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." said Republican Rep. Matt Salmon, who chaired the panel. "A steady stream of threats to Taiwan's national security are an everyday reality for Taiwan and its people."

Lawmakers urged more US arms sales and support for Taiwan's membership in international organizations.

Bonnie Glaser, an expert witness from the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank, said the Obama administration has approved US$14 billion in arms sales to Taiwan since taking office in 2009, but has mostly provided mostly secondhand equipment and additional munitions, apparently because it is worried about upsetting US relations with China.

Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly highlighted US foot-dragging on a request for diesel submarines, pending for 15 years. Thornton said the administration was continuing to work on that request.

Without naming China, Thornton said, "pressure to squeeze Taiwan out of international organizations is growing." She said the US supports Taiwan's membership in organizations that don't require statehood, including Interpol, the International Civil Aviation Organization and the World Health Organization.

China views Taiwan's membership as a challenge to Chinese sovereignty over the island, which was Japanese colony from 1895 to 1945, and split from the mainland amid the Chinese civil war in 1949.

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