Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu used a press briefing in Beijing on Friday, held to outline preparations for China’s upcoming Victory Day commemorations, to restate Beijing’s key foreign-policy positions. Ma said the United Nations’ authority “can only be strengthened, not weakened,” arguing that multilateralism remains essential amid what he called repeated global crises. On relations with Washington, Ma said China is prepared to pursue “mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation,” but warned that attempts to pressure or contain China “will not succeed.” He added that Beijing stands ready to maintain communication with the United States, manage differences and broaden areas of cooperation. Turning to Taiwan, Ma reiterated that the issue is “purely China’s internal affair” and brooks no outside interference. He cautioned that foreign actors seeking to exploit the matter “are playing with fire and will perish by it,” underscoring China’s resolve to oppose moves toward Taiwanese independence. Ma also promoted President Xi Jinping’s initiative of building “a community with a shared future for humanity,” saying the concept has gained broad international support and offers an alternative to what he termed bloc politics and hegemonic approaches to global governance.