China has voted against the final resolution, and the United States will restore its membership in UNESCO next month
On the 30th local time, a special session of the UNESCO General Assembly passed a resolution allowing the United States to restore its membership in UNESCO on July 31, 2023. And they can vote and have the right to be elected to the Executive Board at the 42nd Congress at the end of this year.
China voted against the final resolution. Yang Jin, the Ambassador of China to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, stated that the failure of the United States to pay its membership fees on time is not an uncontrollable reason, but rather a violation of its domestic laws and regulations. The purpose of member states joining UNESCO is to strengthen cooperation and contribute to peace. The purpose of joining UNESCO is not to resist, nor to resist or confront the influence of a country.
The Chinese side believes that countries, regardless of size or strength, have equal rights in UNESCO. At the same time, corresponding obligations must be fulfilled. As China recently called for in a statement, we hope that all parties will practice the purpose and mission of UNESCO, respect and uphold the Organization Law, fulfill their obligations, pay membership fees on time and in full, adhere to true multilateralism, respect the sovereignty and social systems of all countries, respect and maintain social diversity, avoid ideological confrontation, and strive to promote mutual understanding and cooperation among member states, jointly negotiate the organization's strategies and plans, work together to address global challenges, and build a community with a shared future for mankind.