Jiang, who arrived in New York on Monday to attend the UN Millennium Summit scheduled from September 6-8, made these remarks Tuesday morning during a breakfast meeting with the leaders of some major US media at the Waldorf Hotel where he stays.

Rupert Murdoch, chairman and chief executive officer of The News Corporation Ltd., represented the US media to express his admiration for the positive efforts and contributions the Chinese President has made to strengthening the mutual understanding between the Chinese and US people, and between the Chinese people and people the world over.

On Sino-US relationship, Jiang said that it is the right choice of history to establish and maintain a healthy and stable ties between the two countries, which is in the long-term interests of the people of both countries.

Jiang said that during his meeting with President Clinton in Seattle in 1993, he pointed out that the two sides should handle the Sino-US relations from the strategic and long-term point of view.

He stressed that at the dawn of the new century, it is more necessary for both sides to take such an attitude to push forward the development of Sino-US ties.

When answering questions about the across-straits talks, Jiang said that the message we have sent is very simple: only when the Taiwan leader recognizes the One China principle, can the talks begin.

The Chinese President said that Taiwan issue is an important one with high sensitivity in Sino-US relations and he expressed his hope that the US government should keep its promise to explicitly support the cause of China's peaceful reunification.

He hoped that US media people will go to China to see with their own eyes the great changes occurred so that they can better understand that country and present a realistic picture to the American people.

This will help promote the mutual understanding and friendly cooperation between the two nations and play a more positive role in pushing forward the stable and healthy development of Sino-US relations, he added.

Chinese Vice-premier Qian Qichen, Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan, Director of the Information Office of the State Council Zhao Qizheng and Chinese Ambassador to the United States Li Zhaoxing were present at the meeting.

(Xinhua 09/06/2000)