Pivotal role for head-of-state diplomacy

President Xi Jinping has leveraged head-of-state diplomacy to advocate for the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity, injecting the forces of peace, stability and progress into the changing and turbulent world, a senior diplomat said on Friday.

The vision, put forward by Xi in 2013, has been translated into practice that involves multilateral engagement and features evolution from development to security and from cooperation to governance, Vice-Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu said at a news conference in Beijing on activities marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War.

"The vision breaks the 'small circles' rules of bloc politics and goes beyond the hegemonic logic of 'might makes right', providing a new approach to international relations and global governance," said Ma, adding that it transcends the so-called "universal values" unilaterally defined by a handful of Western countries.

Noting that head-of-state diplomacy is the supreme form of diplomacy in China, Ma said that while engaging in in-depth strategic communication with world leaders, Xi has fostered friendly relations with the peoples of various countries, and elaborated on the principles of peaceful development, the path of win-win cooperation, and the strategy of global solidarity to address shared challenges.

The vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity has become an international consensus, he added.

While explaining why China commemorates its Victory Day, which falls on Sept 3, Ma said: "We aim to bear the history in mind, honor the martyrs, cherish peace and strive for a better future. We aim to uphold the correct perspective on World War II and gather strength to maintain peace."

He said that this year also marks the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's recovery from Japanese occupation, a significant victorious outcome of World War II and an important part of the postwar international order.

Attempting to use Taiwan as a means to contain China is akin to playing with fire and those who play with fire will ultimately get burned, he said.

Ma emphasized that the international community's commitment to the one-China principle has become increasingly solid, and that the Chinese people's just cause of opposing "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and striving for complete national reunification has gained widespread understanding and support from the international community.

Reunification unstoppable

The Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation and a series of other documents with the force of international law all affirmed China's sovereignty over Taiwan, Ma said, noting that the historical and legal facts that Taiwan belongs to China are indisputable.

"I want to reiterate that the Taiwan question is purely an internal affair for China and brooks no external interference," Ma said, adding that China's ultimate and inevitable reunification is unstoppable.

At Friday's news conference, Ma also called for strengthening, not weakening, the role of the United Nations, saying that reforms are needed to help the world body tackle global challenges.

"Recent years have repeatedly reminded us through major crises that the UN's role must be strengthened, not diminished. Its status must be upheld, not replaced," Ma said.

He stated that the UN's effectiveness depends on member states upholding the UN Charter and observing international law and the basic norms governing international relations.

Ma added that reforms are needed to help the organization better respond to global challenges, especially by boosting the representation and voice of developing countries in international affairs.

"For eight decades, the UN has carried the aspirations of people around the world for peace and development, and remains the most universal, authoritative and representative intergovernmental organization," Ma said.

He noted that despite advances in human civilization, the UN Charter's vision remains far from being fulfilled, particularly undermined by individual countries' unilateralism, wanton withdrawals from treaties and organizations, and the selective use of the UN.

Such practices, he said, have seriously undermined the international order.

Ma said that China has taken the lead in practicing true multilateralism and firmly supports the UN in playing a central role in international affairs.

"As the UN enters its next 80 years, China is ready to work with all parties to strengthen the UN's role and build a more just and equitable system of global governance," he added.

On China-US relations, Ma said that since the beginning of this year, President Xi has had two phone conversations and multiple correspondence with US President Donald Trump, steering the direction of the bilateral ties.

Attempts to pressure or coerce China are unworkable and bound to fail, and efforts to contain China's development and impede the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation are destined to end in failure, he said.

"We are willing to work with the US to move in the same direction to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, maintain communication, manage differences, expand cooperation and continue to explore the right way for the two countries to get along with each other in the new era," he said.