Beijing reaffirms UNESCO support

important projects planned by the UN’s cultural and educational agency.

“We share the concern by many countries that the activity of UNESCO has been too politicized lately,” the ministry said.

France also voiced its regret over the withdrawal “at a time when international support for this organization is crucial”.

French Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Agnes Romatet-Espagne said “the future of UNESCO is of particular importance to France”, while reiterating Paris commitment to the UN cultural agency’s “critical actions” that contribute to achieving the UN goal of peace.

The US stopped funding UNESCO after the organization voted to include Palestine as a member in 2011, and now owes about $550 million in back payments.

Israel follows