Trump's announcement to withdraw from UNESCO not responsible: Chinese FM

(ECNS) -- China on Wednesday commented on former U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement to withdraw from UNESCO as "not what a responsible major country should do."

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun made the remarks at a regular press conference on Wednesday.

"We noted that UNESCO and multiple countries expressed their regrets over the U.S. decision to withdraw from the organization again. It's the third time that the U.S. has withdrawn from UNESCO. The country hasn't paid arrears for a long time," he said.

The purpose of UNESCO is to advance international cooperation in education, science and culture, promote the mutual understanding and integration of civilizations, uphold world peace, and achieve common development. China firmly supports UNESCO's work, he added.

According to the spokesperson, on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the founding of the U.N., China calls on all countries to reaffirm their commitment to multilateralism, and take concrete action to support the UN-centered international system, the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.

(By Evelyn)