In a long-awaited phone call with China's President Xi Jinping on Thursday evening, US President Donald Trump agreed to honour the "One China Policy", which has been the bedrock of relations between Beijing and Washington for the last 38 years.
In what the White House described as a "lengthy" call, Mr Trump appears to have abandoned any suggestion he would seek more formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
"President Trump agreed, at the request of President Xi, to honour our 'One China' policy," the White House said in a statement.
China's state broadcaster, CCTV, had a slightly different interpretation of the call.
It said Mr Trump told Mr Xi he "fully understood" the importance of the US adhering to the One China Policy and that the two leaders were expected to hold an "early" meeting.
The US changed its diplomatic recognition of China from Taipei to Beijing in 1979 and in doing so recognised there was only one Chinese government.
Despite the recognition of Beijing as the legitimate government of China, the US maintains a strong unofficial relationship with Taiwan, which includes arms sales.
CCTV also claimed Mr Trump expressed his admiration for China's historical achievements and "paid tribute" to the Chinese people. He is also said to have pledged greater co-operation in areas including trade, the economy, investment and international affairs.
