Chinese Defense Minister Chi Haotian stressed Tuesday in Beijing that China's basic policy toward the Taiwan issue remains "peaceful reunification and 'one country, two systems'", but that China will never commit not to use force.

Chi made the statement at his meeting with Dennis Blair, commander-in-chief of pacific command of the United States armed forces.

Chi, also vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and a state councilor, said that the white paper "The One-China Principle and the Taiwan Issue" had made clear the consistent stand of Chinese government toward the issue of Taiwan and reflected the common aspiration of the entire Chinese people. The reunification cause of China is irreversible, he stressed.

Blair's delegation marks the first senior US military delegation to officially visit China since the US-led NATO bombed the Chinese embassy in Yugoslavia last May.

Chi urged the US to handle properly the Taiwan issue in line with the three Sino-US Joint Communiques and relevant commitments, to stop arms sale to Taiwan and "do things that genuinely help promote the peaceful reunification of China."

China has always followed an independent foreign policy of peace and held that differences between countries should be resolved peacefully through consultations and dialogues on equal footing. China hopes the world will maintain peace, stability and development, and China will definitely not pose a threat to the U. S., he added.

Blair reiterated that the two countries share common interest in maintaining peace and development in the Asia-Pacific region and even the whole world. He also stated that US will stick to the "One-China" policy.