Wed Jul 23 08:05:34 UTC 2025: **The Hindu: World Affairs – China Regrets US Withdrawal from UNESCO**
**Beijing, July 23, 2025 (IST)** – China has expressed its regret over the United States’ decision to withdraw from UNESCO, the UN cultural and education agency. Speaking on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated that the move was “not the action that a responsible major country should take,” emphasizing China’s consistent support for UNESCO’s work.
The United States announced on Tuesday that it would be leaving UNESCO, citing perceived bias against Israel and the promotion of “divisive” causes. This marks the third time the U.S. has withdrawn from the organization. Former President Donald Trump initiated a similar withdrawal in 2017, a decision later reversed by President Joe Biden. The latest withdrawal is slated to take effect in December 2026.
China, under President Xi Jinping, has positioned itself as a champion of multilateralism, contrasting with the US tendency to withdraw from international agreements. Mr. Guo reminded reporters of the US’s long-standing arrears in membership fees and urged “all countries to reaffirm their commitment to multilateralism and take concrete actions to support the international system with the UN at its core.”
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