China Slams US Over Decision To Withdraw From UNESCO

China on Wednesday expressed regret over the United States’ decision to withdraw once again from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), calling the move inconsistent with the responsibilities of a global power.

“This is not the action that a responsible major country should take,” said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun during a press briefing.

“China has always firmly supported the work of UNESCO,” he added.

The U.S. announced on Tuesday that it would leave UNESCO by December 2026, citing concerns over alleged bias against Israel and the promotion of what it called “divisive” agendas. The agency is widely known for its work in designating and preserving World Heritage sites around the world.

This marks the third time the United States has pulled out of UNESCO. Former President Donald Trump previously withdrew the country from the agency in 2017, a move reversed by President Joe Biden when he restored U.S. membership. The latest decision continues Trump’s pattern of disengaging from multilateral institutions, including past withdrawals from the World Health Organization and the Paris climate agreement.

Guo criticized Washington’s inconsistent engagement with international organizations, noting its history of non-payment of dues to UNESCO.

“This is already the third time that the U.S. has withdrawn from UNESCO, and it has long been in arrears with its membership fees,” he said.

He urged the international community to recommit to multilateralism and support institutions anchored in the United Nations framework.

“We call on all countries to reaffirm their commitment to multilateralism and take concrete actions to support the international system with the UN at its core,” Guo added.

Meanwhile, China has continued to present itself as a strong backer of the UN and other global bodies, positioning itself as a champion of multilateral cooperation.