China Slams U.S. UNESCO Withdrawal as Irresponsible Act, Fueling Diplomatic Tensions

Beijing | July 23, 2025 —
China has issued a scathing response to the United States’ earlier withdrawal from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), labeling the move “irresponsible” and inconsistent with the conduct expected of a global superpower.

The statement, released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Monday, comes amid renewed friction between the two countries in multiple arenas ranging from trade and security to the global cultural and educational order.

“Withdrawing from international organizations whenever one disagrees is not the behavior of a responsible country,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, speaking at a press conference in Beijing.

The criticism follows the U.S.’s previous decision to formally exit UNESCO in 2018, during the Trump administration, citing alleged anti-Israel bias and bureaucratic inefficiency. While the Biden administration reinstated U.S. membership in 2023 in a bid to counterbalance China’s growing sway within the organization, Beijing’s latest remarks suggest lingering skepticism over Washington’s long-term commitment to multilateralism.

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A Stage for Global Influence

UNESCO, headquartered in Paris, plays a pivotal role in fostering international cooperation in education, science, culture, and communication. While the agency’s mission is largely apolitical, recent years have seen it become a battleground for competing geopolitical agendas.

The United States was among the founding members of UNESCO but has had a rocky relationship with the organization. In 2011, it suspended its financial contributions after UNESCO admitted Palestine as a full member state—a decision that sparked tensions in Washington. The funding freeze eventually led to a formal withdrawal announcement in 2017, which took effect at the end of 2018.

China, in contrast, has ramped up its involvement in UNESCO, increasing its financial contributions and seeking leadership roles within various committees. Analysts view this as part of a broader effort by Beijing to expand its global soft power through educational and cultural diplomacy.

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A Question of Global Leadership

The Chinese government’s remarks appear calibrated not just as a rebuke, but as a broader critique of what it sees as the U.S.’s selective engagement with international norms.

“Multilateralism is not a buffet where one can pick and choose,” Mao added. “Responsible nations work together through international institutions to resolve differences—not abandon them when outcomes are inconvenient.”

The comments strike at the heart of the ongoing narrative battle between Washington and Beijing. The U.S. has frequently accused China of using international institutions to push authoritarian-friendly norms, while Beijing counters that Washington undermines global cooperation through unilateral action and political interference.

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Implications for UNESCO

Observers note that America’s back-and-forth relationship with UNESCO has tangible implications. The organization relies heavily on financial contributions and consensus-driven governance. U.S. withdrawal in 2018 created budgetary shortfalls and limited its influence over key decisions, including the designation of World Heritage Sites and educational standards.

Now that the U.S. has rejoined, its credibility and commitment are under scrutiny—not only from rivals like China but also from long-time allies in Europe and the Global South.

“The U.S. cannot afford to oscillate in and out of key institutions,” said Dr. Leah Anderson, a global governance expert at the Brookings Institution. “It undermines diplomatic relationships and creates openings for other powers to fill the void.”

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The Bigger Picture

The clash over UNESCO mirrors a wider competition for ideological leadership. While the United States continues to champion liberal democratic values, China is positioning itself as a stable and pragmatic alternative on the world stage, especially in the Global South.

Through initiatives such as the Belt and Road cultural exchange programs and the promotion of Chinese heritage sites, Beijing is strategically investing in global soft power. Its growing role in organizations like UNESCO is seen as a natural extension of that ambition.

Yet critics argue that China’s approach is not without contradictions—particularly given its domestic restrictions on academic freedom, internet censorship, and limits on press freedom.

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Conclusion

The latest Chinese critique of the United States’ UNESCO policy may seem like a diplomatic skirmish over a cultural body—but at its core lies a fundamental contest over what kind of leadership should shape the 21st-century world order.

With international institutions increasingly becoming venues of rivalry rather than cooperation, the challenge facing both nations—and the global community—is whether shared values can triumph over strategic competition.