'US-China relationship has to get back to business quickly'

The relationship between China and the United States, which has gone through a bumpy ride, has to get back on track as soon as possible, a top Obama Administration official has said.

"We've gone through a bit of a bumpy path here, and I think there's an interest both within the United States and China to get back to business as usual as quickly as possible," Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs P J Crowley said.

The acknowledgment comes in the wake of the differences between the two countries and even exchange of words on key issues like human rights, arms sale to Taiwan, the Dalai Lama meeting President Obama and Iran.

US Deputy Secretary of State Jim Steinberg is visiting Beijing this week to discuss with Chinese officials on a wide range of issues.

"We have a very broad, deep, complex relationship with China. There are many areas where we have achieved a consensus view. North Korea would be a great example of that. There are some areas where we do not yet have a convergent view. Iran might be an example of that," Crowley said.

"We have different perceptions of our national interest, you know, when you talk about dialogue with the Dalai Lama, for example, or you talk about regional security issues, perhaps involving Taiwan," Crowley said, adding that he expects that the US Deputy Secretary will talk about the full range of these issues.

"We have a common interest in stability in the region; we have a common interest in working together on issues like climate and the environment. We have a common interest in working on issues such as piracy in and around the Horn of Africa," he said.

The US-China relationship, which has recently seen some issues crop up, could be refocused with both the countries having the opportunity to understand each others perspective and views, Crowley added.