With one notable exception, Secretary of State Colin Powell’s Senate confirmation testimony outlining the Bush administration’s Asia policy signaled a remarkable degree of continuity. Powell identified America’s bilateral alliance network, and particularly the U.S.-Japan relationship, as the bedrock from which all else in Asia flows — this was stated policy during the Clinton administration as well, even if it occasionally suffered in its implementation. Powell also reiterated America’s "one-China" policy, with the caveat that "we expect and demand a peaceful settlement, acceptable to people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait." Like its predecessors, the Bush administration will not support unilateral attempts by either side to alter the status quo and will not tolerate any attempt by Beijing to force a solution unacceptable to the people of Taiwan.