Chinese President Jiang Zemin Tuesday called on both the Chinese and US leaders to properly handle, in the US election year, major issues such as how to ensure that the Sino-US ties maintain stability and continue improving and developing.

Jiang made the remarks in a meeting with Richard C. Holbrooke, US permanent representative to the United Nations, Tuesday afternoon in Beijing.

In the US election year, "certain people in the US have attempted to involve Sino-US relations in US presidential campaign politics and disturb the improvement and development of Sino-US ties," he said.

He described the proper handling of Sino-US relations as a " major issue" for the leaders of both countries "at this critical moment."

Proceeding from the fundamental interests of the people of the two countries, Jiang said, it is "of vital importance" to strictly abide by the three Sino-US joint communiques, handle the differences between the two countries properly and ensure that the basis of Sino-US relations is solid and safe from damage.

He said that the the Taiwan issue is the biggest barrier to the improvement and development of Sino-US relations, stressing that the Taiwan issue is the internal affairs of China. "It is the common aspiration and sacred mission of the whole Chinese people to safeguard China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and realize complete reunification," he said. China's complete reunification "not only is the common aspiration of the entire Chinese people and in the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation, but also is conducive to the healthy and steady development of Sino-US ties," he said, adding that "this is also beneficial to the US side."

Saying that he is paying close attention to the development of the situation on Taiwan island, Jiang reiterated that "the one China principle provides the basis and prerequisite for resolving the Taiwan issue peacefully."

Jiang stressed that the Taiwan regional election of local leaders and its result cannot change the fact that Taiwan is but part of China's territory.

"I have openly stated that leaders across the Taiwan Straits can hold talks," Jiang said, "but the prerequisite for such talks is the one China principle."

He demanded that the United States abide by the three Sino-US joint communiques and the commitments of "three no's" in the two-hour meeting with Holbrooke.

The "three no's" refers to the US giving no support to the independence of Taiwan; no support to "one China, one Taiwan" or " two Chinas"; and no support to Taiwan's entry into any international organization with membership of sovereign states.

"The US should take concrete actions to support its one China policy. Only by doing so can Sino-US ties avoid setbacks and instead register improvement and development," he said.

Holbrooke conveyed greetings from US President Bill Clinton to Jiang, and Jiang asked him to convey his regards to Clinton.

Holbrooke agreed that the US and China should handle bilateral ties from a long-term and strategic viewpoint for the building of stable, mature and cooperative ties between the two countries.

He said that the Clinton administration values the role of China in the international arena. The US government will continue to strengthen its cooperation with China in UN affairs and make efforts to gear US-China relations to the direction of a constructive and strategic partnership, he said.

Holbrooke said that the US side is fully aware of the importance and sensitiveness of the Taiwan issue.

He said that the US will continue its adherence to the one China principle, the three Sino-US joint communiques and the commitment to the "three no's."

The US government opposes the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act, and will block it from becoming law, he said.

Also, he told Jiang that the US government will firmly push Congress to grant China Permanent Normal Trade Relations status.