China criticises U.S. decision to withdraw from UNESCO

China on Wednesday criticised U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), calling it inconsistent with the responsibilities of a major power.

“This is not what a major country should do,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a news conference in Beijing when asked about Washington’s move, which will take effect on 31 December, 2026.

"This is the third time the U.S. has withdrawn from UNESCO. This is not the behaviour of a responsible big country," added Guo.

Guo expressed “firm” support for UNESCO, saying many countries had “regretted” the U.S. decision, which he noted came after Washington had “not paid arrears” to the United Nations agency for a “long time.”

He urged countries to “reaffirm their commitment to multilateralism,” citing the UN’s 80th anniversary.

Washington said that continued involvement was not in the U.S. national interest.

"UNESCO works to advance divisive social and cultural causes and maintains an outsized focus on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, a globalist, ideological agenda for international development at odds with our America First foreign policy," State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said in a statement.

Guo, however, said the purpose of UNESCO is to advance international cooperation in education, science, and culture and uphold peace and common development.

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