Chinese President Jiang Zemin urged the United States on June 27 to keep its commitment on the Taiwan issue, the most crucial issue in Sino-U.S. relations.

Jiang made the call in an opening remark when meeting the press jointly with U.S. President Clinton after the two leaders held talks here this morning.

Calling the Taiwan question is "the most important and sensitive issue in Sino-U.S. relations," President Jiang expressed the wish that the U.S. side "will abide by the principles and the promises laid down in the three Sino-U.S. joint communiques and the joint statement to ensure the smooth development of bilateral ties."

The improvement in and development of Sino-U.S. relations has been hard-earned, and resultant from the joint efforts by the governments and people of the two countries, and it should be all the more treasured, he stressed.