China has staunchly reaffirmed its support for the United Nations (UN) and multilateralism following the US’ decision to withdraw from a slew of international organisations, underscoring Washington’s growing disengagement from global governance frameworks.
The message came from Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning at a press briefing late last week, where she said that only an effective multilateral system could safeguard the collective interests of all countries and “stop the law of the jungle from prevailing.”
She added that smaller and less developed countries particularly relied on such frameworks to protect their rights and interests.
Mao was responding to confirmation from the White House that US President Donald Trump had signed an executive order directing the suspension of US support for 66 organisations, comprising 31 UN-affiliated bodies and 35 non-UN entities. The move followed an administration-wide review of US participation in international institutions.
[See more: US threats to annex Greenland ‘completely and utterly unacceptable’]
Targeted organisations included agencies and panels focused on climate change, labour, migration, populations and cultural cooperation. Washington has described many of them as redundant, poorly managed or inconsistent with US priorities, arguing that some undermined its national sovereignty or advanced agendas it outright opposed.
The latest withdrawals include the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, which underpins global climate negotiations, as well as the UN Population Fund, contributing to sexual and reproductive health issues. The decision builds on earlier US exits from bodies such as the World Health Organization, UNESCO and the UN Human Rights Council. US officials have said Washington would continue to participate selectively in bodies it deems strategically important.
Analysts cited by AP said Trump had made a clear break from how previous US administrations engaged with the UN and other global institutions. Daniel Forti, head of UN affairs at the International Crisis Group, described it as “‘my way or the highway’.”
Mao, meanwhile, highlighted that the UN – founded to promote peace and uphold international law – was the backbone of the post-World War II global system and had provided a forum for international cooperation for the past 80 years.
