If the U.S. side is bent on confrontation, China will oblige it and fight to the finish, and this practice of the U.S. side to go against the tide of history cannot attain the support of the vast majority of member nations of the United Nations.

Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan made the remarks in Beijing Tuesday during his meeting with Richard Holbrooke, the permanent representative of the United States to the United Nations.

During the meeting, Tang and Holbrooke exchanged views on the issues concerning Sino-U.S. relations and the reform of the United Nations and the human rights issue.

China and the United States, both permanent members of the United Nations (U.N.) Security Council, shoulder important responsibilities for safeguarding international peace and security, and both occupy decisive status in the U.N. affairs, Tang said.

The maintenance of sound and stable Sino-U.S. relations accords with the shared interests of both sides, and will contribute to safeguarding the international peace and security, and China is ready to strengthen its cooperation with the U.S. within the United Nations.

Tang underlined that the Taiwan issue is China's internal affair, and said that an election was held in the Taiwan region, and the Chinese mainland will listen to what the new leader in Taiwan says and see how he acts.

The one-China principle is the basis and prerequisite for the peaceful settlement of Taiwan issue, Tang said. the U.S. government is committed to following this principle, and adhering to the three Sino-U.S. joint communiques, and not to supporting " Taiwan's independence", or "two Chinas", or "one China, one Taiwan ", or Taiwan's membership in any international organizations where statehood is required.

"China attaches great importance to these commitments, and pays all the more attention to the actions to be taken by the U.S. side to fulfill its commitments," Tang said, and added he hopes that the U.S. will be fully aware of the sensitivity and complexity of the present situation, and deal with the Taiwan issue prudently.

The Chinese people have never been afraid of any bluffs and pressure, including those on the human rights issue, Tang said.

Noting that differences between the two countries on this issue should be resolved through dialog on the basis of equality and mutual respect, Tang said the U.S. side should deal with the differences from a strategic and long-term perspective, "rein in at the brink of the precipice" and correct its erroneous decision of attempting to table an anti-China draft resolution at the U.N. human rights conference, and return to the track of dialog.

Holbrooke noted that the Clinton Administration will work to promote the steady growth of U.S.-China relations. He re-affirmed the United States' one China principle, and expressed its readiness to enhance consultations and cooperation with China in the international arena, within the arena of the United Nations in particular.

On Monday, Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Wang Guangya also held talks with Holbrooke on U.N. affairs and other related issues.