The United States said on Saturday it did not want a direct mediation role in the dispute between China and Taiwan, preferring the two sides talk to each other instead.

Questions about a possible U.S. mediation role in the long-running China-Taiwan confrontation arose from a Washington Post report that said both sides had asked the United States to intervene. ``We are not playing a role as a mediator, and we have not and do not seek to play that role,'' said P.J. Crowley, spokesman for the White House National Security Council. He said the United States was continuing to encourage China and Taiwan to reestablish their dialogue across the Taiwan Strait. ``We want to see that come about,'' he said. Tension between Taiwan and China has been running high since Chen Shui-bian was elected president of Taiwan in March. Chen's Democratic Progressive Party espouses independence from China, infuriating Beijing. China considers Taiwan a breakaway province and has threatened to invade if the island breaks free. Chen is to be inaugurated on May 20.