BEIJING, November 16 (RIA Novosti) - U.S. President Barack Obama said on Monday that Washington would continue to support a "one-China" policy.

"I have been clear in the past the United States supports one-China policy ... we don't want to change that policy or approach," he said. "Through dialogue and communications

problems can be solved."

He refused to answer a question on arms sales to Taiwan, which split from the mainland in 1949.

Speaking on his first presidential visit to China, Obama also said that he wanted to see more cooperation with the world's most populous country.

"More is gained when great powers cooperate than when they collide," he said.

He also used a speech at a town-hall meeting to push democratic ideals.

"We do not seek to impose any system of government on any other nation," Obama said. "But we also don't believe that the principles that we stand for are unique to our nation."

"These freedoms of expression, and worship, of access to information and political participation _ we believe they are universal rights. They should be available to all people, including ethnic and religious minorities, whether they are in the United States, China or any nation," he added.