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Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan Meets Holbrooke, US Permanent Representative to the UN

On March 21, 2000, Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan met with Holbrooke, the permanent representative of the United States to the United Nations. The two sides exchanged views on the issues concerning Sino-U.S. relations and the reform of the United Nations and the human rights issue.

Tang noted that China and the United States, both permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, shoulder important responsibilities in safeguarding international peace and security and both occupy decisive status in the UN affairs. The maintenance of sound and stable Sino-U.S. relations accords with the shared interests of both sides and will contribute to safeguarding international peace and security. China is ready to strengthen its cooperation with the U.S. within the United Nations.

Tang underlined that the Taiwan question is China's internal affairs. An election has been held in the Taiwan region recently and the Chinese mainland will listen to what the new leader in Taiwan says and see how he acts. The one China principle is the basis and prerequisite for the peaceful settlement of the Taiwan question. The U.S. government is committed to following this principle, and adhering to the three Sino-U.S. joint communiqués, and not to supporting "Taiwan independence", or "two Chinas", or "one China, one Taiwan", or Taiwan's membership in any international organizations where statehood is required. China attaches great importance to these commitments and pays all the more attention to the actions to be taken by the U.S. side to fulfill its commitments. It is hoped that the U.S. will be fully aware of the sensitivity and complexity of the present situation and deal with the Taiwan question prudently.

Tang remarked that the Chinese people have never been afraid of any bluffs and pressure, including those on the human rights issue. Noting that differences between the two countries on this issue should be resolved through dialogue on the basis of equality and mutual respect, Tang has said the U.S. side should deal with the differences from a strategic and long-term perspective, rein in at the brink of the precipice and correct its erroneous decision of attempting to table an anti-China draft resolution at the UN Human Rights Commission Session, and return to the right track of dialogue. If the U.S. side is bent on confrontation, China will oblige it and fight to the finish and this practice of the U.S. side to go against the tide of history cannot obtain the support of the vast majority of member nations of the United Nations.

Holbrooke indicated that the Clinton Administration would make further efforts to promote the stable development of US-China relations. He reiterated that the US adheres to the one China principle and is ready to strengthen US-China coordination and cooperation in the international arena, within the UN in particular.