China Welcomes US’ Return to UNESCO

On Monday, China's ambassador to the United Nations Yang Jin said his country will not oppose the United States' return to UNESCO despite the difficult relations between Beijing and Washington.

"UNESCO needs all member states to join hands to fulfill its mission," Yang said, stressing that "China is ready to work with all member states, including the United States."

He said Washington has twice withdrawn from UNESCO, which has had a "negative impact" on the organization.

Earlier, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization announced that the US intends to join it again, starting in July, to turn the page on a decade-long dispute with the body from which Washington withdrew in 2018.

"It is a strong step that reflects trust in UNESCO and pluralism," UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, said while informing representatives of the body's member states in Paris about Washington's decision to return.

The US is a founding member of UNESCO and was one of the most important contributors to the commission's budget until 2011 when the UN organization granted Palestine full membership. This resulted in contributions being discontinued under US law.

Then-US President Donald Trump went further by announcing in 2017 that the US would withdraw from UNESCO alongside Israel, accusing the body of bias against the latter.

In March, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken mentioned that the US's absence from UNESCO leaves room for China to formulate the rules related to artificial intelligence.