A connecting terminal 11 has a rectangular tube-like connecting portion 12 formed at a front side for receiving a cooperating tang-like connecting terminal and a U-shaped core conductor clamping portion 13a and a U-shaped sheath clamping portion 13b at a rear side. In front of the core conductor clamping portion 13a near the connecting portion 12 there are formed plate-like locking strips 14 to extend in a longitudinal direction in an upright fashion. A top portion 13a′ of the core conductor clamping portion 13a is coupled substantially linearly with top portions 14′ of the locking strips 14 by means of coupling portions 15 to reinforce a root portion of the core conductor clamping portion 13a.