He said in handling bilateral relations, the two countries should unswervingly abide by the principles embodied in the three Sino-US Joint Communiques and the Sino-US Joint Statement. China and the United States should make particular efforts to properly address the Taiwan question, Jiang stressed. "We should properly address our differences on the principle of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, non-interference in each other's internal affairs and seeking common ground while reserving differences."

China and the United States should try to find the converging point of their common interests and work to expand the areas of cooperation. He also called for vigorous promotion of friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries.

In a few months' time, Jiang said, China and the United States would celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic ties. "Sino-US relations are at an important historical juncture of building on the past and preparing for the future. I am convinced that, with the joint efforts of both sides, we will surely be able to overcome all kinds of obstacles to advance our relations toward a constructive strategic partnership," he said.

The Taiwan question, Jiang stressed, was the most important and sensitive issue in Sino-US relations. The key to a healthy and stable growth of the relationship lies in the proper approach to the Taiwan question in strict accordance with the principles set forth in the three Sino-US Joint Communiques and related commitments.

Clinton reiterated during the talks the commitments the United States has made on the Taiwan issue.

The two presidents agreed to enhance dialogue and cooperation on major international issues and work together to create a 21st century world that is peaceful, secure, stable and conducive to economic growth.

They agreed to continue with concerted efforts to make greater strides toward the goal of a constructive strategic China-US partnership. In this spirit, the two sides have decided not to target each other with the strategic nuclear weapons under their respective control.

The two heads of state believed it was necessary and useful for leaders of the two countries to maintain close contacts with each other and have direct, in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and major international issues.

They exchanged views on such issues as the Asian financial crisis and the promotion of a steady economic growth of the region and the world as a whole. The US side spoke highly of the important and positive role played by China in mitigating the Asian financial crisis.

They maintained that in the new situation of accelerated economic globalization, it was imperative for countries to constantly improve macro economic management systems, make timely readjustment of economic structures, improve financial regulatory and supervisory mechanism and ward off financial risks.

The two sides agreed to further strengthen strategic dialogue in the economic and financial fields so as to make positive contribution to a sound development of the world economy and international finance.

They believed that China and the United States were highly complementary in the economic field and enjoyed broad prospects for mutually-beneficial cooperation. The two sides decided to increase exchanges and cooperation on the basis of equality and reciprocity and work for greater development in Sino-US economic and trade relations.

With regard to the consultations between China and the United States on the former's entry to WTO, the Chinese side has recently put forward a positive proposal and the US side has responded positively so that their views are steadily converging. The two leaders expressed readiness to continue with the consultations in a flexible and pragmatic manner to bring about a solution to this issue at an earlier date.

The two sides were delighted to note that their relevant departments had decided, through consultations on an equal footing, to sign commercial and trade contracts worth US$3.12 billion.

The two sides agreed to conduct technical cooperation in the fields of finance, housing, social security and health care reforms. Relevant departments of the two sides will hold consultations on specific cooperative projects.

Both sides believed they shared extensive interests and great potential for cooperation in the fields of energy and environment.

In order to implement relevant points in the Sino-US Joint Statement and China-US Initiative on Energy and Environment Cooperation, the two sides reached agreement on a number of issues.

These included signing the China-US Agreement on Peaceful Use of Nuclear Technologies and Letter of Intent on Urban Air Quality Monitoring Project; holding China-US Conference on Financing China's Energy Needs and China-US Oil and Gas Industry Forums in September and November 1998 respectively in Beijing; strengthening technical cooperation on clean energy, better efficiency and resource recycling and reaching agreements on relevant projects; and holding a China-US Water Resources Seminar and establishing a working group on water resources management under the China-US Environment and Development Forum to enhance cooperation in water resources management.