China has sharply criticized the United States’ decision to withdraw from UNESCO, describing the Trump administration’s move as an irresponsible action unbecoming of a major global power.
Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun expressed Beijing’s regret over Washington’s announcement to leave the UN cultural and education agency, emphasizing China’s unwavering support for UNESCO’s mission.
“This is not the action that a responsible major country should take,” Guo told reporters, adding that China has consistently “firmly supported the work of UNESCO” and remains committed to multilateral cooperation through international organizations.
The criticism follows Tuesday’s announcement by the US State Department that America would withdraw from UNESCO, citing conflicts between the agency’s policies and the administration’s “America First” foreign policy approach.
The State Department justified the withdrawal by arguing that UNESCO’s alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals was incompatible with US national interests, while also condemning the organization’s decision to admit Palestine as a member state as “problematic” and contradictory to American foreign policy objectives.
According to the withdrawal notice, the United States will remain a full UNESCO member until December 31, 2026, when the exit formally takes effect under Article II(6) of the UNESCO Constitution.
The UNESCO withdrawal represents part of a broader pattern of American disengagement from international organizations under President Trump’s second term, following his earlier announcement that the US would also exit the World Health Organization.
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay responded to the withdrawal announcement by expressing the organization’s deep regret while noting that the agency had anticipated and prepared for this possibility.
“UNESCO deeply regret[s] President Donald Trump’s decision to once again withdraw the United States of America from UNESCO,” Azoulay stated, acknowledging that while the decision contradicts multilateral principles, the organization had made contingency plans.
The UNESCO chief highlighted the agency’s improved financial resilience since the previous US withdrawal threats in 2018, noting that American contributions now represent only 8% of the organization’s total budget compared to 40% for some other UN entities.
“Thanks to the efforts made by the Organization since 2018, the decreasing trend in the financial contribution of the US has been offset,” Azoulay explained, emphasizing that UNESCO’s overall budget has steadily increased through diversified funding sources.
The organization reported that voluntary contributions have doubled since 2018, with steady support from numerous member states and private contributors providing greater financial stability and reducing dependence on US funding.
China’s criticism of the American withdrawal reflects broader tensions between the two superpowers over international governance and multilateral cooperation, with Beijing positioning itself as a defender of global institutions while Washington pursues more unilateral policies.
The withdrawal marks the second time the United States has left UNESCO, having previously exited the organization from 1984 to 2003 over similar concerns about the agency’s policies and management.
