March 30, 2000-- Chinese President Jiang Zemin said on March 30 that the "one China" principle is the basis and prerequisite for a peaceful solution of the Taiwan issue and that any form of "Taiwan independence" will not be tolerated.

He made these remarks in a meeting with Samuel Berger, U.S. President Bill Clinton's Adviser for National Security Affairs.

Jiang said that the change of leadership in Taiwan does not change the fact that Taiwan is part of the Chinese territory.

Whoever is in power in Taiwan is welcome to come to the mainland for talks, Jiang said, adding that "we can also go to Taiwan as well."

However, there must be a basis for dialogue, he said, adding  that the "one China" principle must be strictly adhered to. "We  will not compromise or make any concessions on the fundamental  issue concerning China's sovereignty and territorial integrity,"  Jiang said, stressing that issues concerning sovereignty cannot be negotiated.

The Chinese government and the Chinese people are determined  not to allow Taiwan to be separated from the motherland, Jiang  said.

"We have the confidence and capability to realize the complete  reunification of the motherland," Jiang said.

The Taiwan issue is purely an internal issue of China, Jiang  stressed.

He noted that the United States has to bear some responsibility for the fact that the Taiwan issue has not been resolved. The  Taiwan issue has become a core issue in Sino-U.S. relations.

The U.S. government has clearly stated that it adheres to the " one China" policy, said Jiang, adding that Mr. Berger told Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan yesterday that the U.S. government  accepts the view that the "one China" principle is the only basis  on which the Taiwan question can be resolved.

The Chinese President stressed that the three Sino-U.S. joint  communiques clearly set out the correct principles for resolving  the Taiwan issue in an appropriate manner.

The U.S. should take practical actions to carry out its "one  China" policy and observe the three Sino-U.S. joint communiques.

Jiang also said that "we hope the U.S. government and those  politicians who are far-sighted will adopt a very cautious  attitude and make a wise choice at the critical moment in cross-Straits and Sino-U.S. relations."

Berger said that the U.S. will stick to the "one China" policy  and observe the three U.S.-China joint communiques, adding that  the U.S. does not support "Taiwan independence," "two Chinas," " one China, one Taiwan", or Taiwan's entry into any international  organization whose membership requires statehood.