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President Jiang Zemin Meeting with Mr. Holbrooke, US permanent representative to the UN

On the afternoon of March 21, 2000, President Jiang Zemin met with Mr. Holbrooke, US permanent representative to the UN at Zhongnanhai.

Jiang noted that this is the US election year and certain people in the US have attempted to involve Sino-US relations in US presidential campaign politics and disturb the improvement and development of Sino-US ties. At this critical moment, both the Chinese and US leaders should properly handle major issues such as how to ensure that the Sino-US ties maintain stability and continue improving and developing. Proceeding from the fundamental interests of the people of the two countries, it is of vital importance to strictly abide by the three Sino-US joint communiqués, handle the differences between the two countries properly and ensure that the basis of Sino-US relations is solid and safe from damage.

He said that the Taiwan question is the biggest barrier to the improvement and development of the Sino-American relations. The Taiwan question is the internal affairs of China. It is the common aspiration and sacred mission of the whole Chinese people to safeguard China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and realize complete reunification of the motherland. China's complete reunification not only is the common aspiration of the entire Chinese people and in the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation, but also is conducive to the healthy and steady development of Sino-US ties and is also beneficial to the US side.

Jiang said that he is paying close attention to the development of the situation on the Taiwan island. The Taiwan regional election of local leaders and its result cannot change the fact that Taiwan is but part of China's territory and the One China principle provides the basis and prerequisite for resolving the Taiwan question peacefully. I have openly stated that leaders across the Taiwan Straits can hold talks, but the prerequisite for such talks is the One China principle. We demand that the United States abide by the three Sino-US joint communiqués and the commitment of "three no's", namely, the US giving no support to the independence of Taiwan; no support to "one China, one Taiwan" or "two Chinas"; and no support to Taiwan's entry into any international organization with membership of sovereign states. The US should take concrete actions to support its one China policy. Only by doing so can Sino-US ties avoid setbacks and register improvement and development.

Holbrooke conveyed greetings from US President Bill Clinton to Jiang, and Jiang asked him to convey his regards to Clinton.

Holbrooke agreed that the US and China should handle bilateral relations from a long-term and strategic viewpoint for the building of stable, mature and cooperative ties between the two countries. He has said that the Clinton administration values the role of China in the international arena. The US government will continue to strengthen its cooperation with China in UN affairs and make efforts to gear US-China relations to the direction of a constructive and strategic partnership. The US side is fully aware of the importance and sensitiveness of the Taiwan question and will continue its adherence to the One China principle, the three Sino-US joint communiqués and the commitment to the three no's. The US government opposes the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act and will block it from becoming law. The US government will firmly push Congress to grant China Permanent Normal Trade Relations status.