'Whether there will be a new document in which the two sides expound their positions on Taiwan or other issues is still under further deliberation by the two sides,' said Mr Tang.

He later clarified his statement, saying: 'I did not mention specifically that the sides are preparing to write a new joint communique or declaration. I can only say that the preparatory work is going on.

'We achieved some fruits through our discussion on a series of issues involving bilateral relations.

'But the visit is a preparation for Mr Clinton's visit in June, so there are some things I would like to leave until Mr Clinton's visit and not to talk about today.' Mr Tang said China wanted the United States to abide by its commitments under previous communiques.

That meant that US would not support Taiwan independence or membership of the United Nations and other international bodies as a sovereign state and that it would stop selling weapons to the island.

'I think that on the Taiwan question, it is not that we hope the US will do something, but that we hope that the US will not do certain things,' said Mr Tang.

'China has clearly stated that the question of Taiwan is the most important and sensitive issue and the core of China-US relations.

'Vice-Premier Qian Qichen told Secretary Albright that when the Taiwan question is well handled, China-US relations can move forward smoothly.' Later, Ms Albright said the US was still not decided whether there would be a joint communique of any sort at the end of Mr Clinton's visit late next month.

'I don't want to predict what any final communique would look like on Taiwan or other aspects of it,' said Ms Albright.

'Those are the kinds of issues we are working on currently.' Ms Albright insisted the Americans were not considering any changes to their position.

'We have not changed our China policy,' she said urging both sides to conduct a dialogue.