China urges stronger UN role, calls for reform

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu on Friday called for strengthening, not weakening, the role of the United Nations (UN), saying reforms are needed to help the world body tackle global challenges.

During a press conference on activities China's V-Day commemorations, Ma said this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in WWII and also the founding of the UN, the direct outcome of the war.

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 inter-governmental organization, said Ma.

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.

"Recent years have repeatedly reminded us through major crises and challenges that the UN's role must be strengthened, not diminished. Its status must be upheld, not replaced. Whether the United Nations can play its due role depends on whether its member states uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and observe international law and the basic norms governing international relations. Meanwhile, reforms are needed to help the UN better respond to global challenges and boost the representation and voice of developing countries in international affairs," said Ma.

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.

He added that 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.

China urges stronger UN role, calls for reform

China urges stronger UN role, calls for reform

China urges stronger UN role, calls for reform

China urges stronger UN role, calls for reform

A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.

Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.

In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.

"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.

Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.

In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.

"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.

By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.

After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.

"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.

Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.

As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.

Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media