WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- The White House said on Monday the United States remains "firmly committed" to one-China policy.

"The United States government, under the leadership of President Obama, has been and remains firmly committed to our one-China policy," said White House spokesman Josh Earnest at the daily briefing.

"That's also the policy, by the way, that previous presidents in both parties have pursued and our country has benefited from adherence to that policy," he added.

It is universally recognized by the international community that there is only one China in the world, and both the mainland and Taiwan belong to one China.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has made clear that adherence to one-China policy is the prerequisite for Taiwan to conduct contacts with foreign countries or participate in international activities.