China Criticizes U.S. Withdrawal from Multiple International Organizations: "We Will Uphold Multilateralism"

A Multilateral System to Prevent the 'Law of the Jungle'
Especially Vital for Smaller and Weaker Nations

After U.S. President Donald Trump announced the withdrawal of the United States from 66 international organizations, China, which has positioned itself as a "guardian of the international order," criticized the U.S. and declared its intention to protect the multilateral system together with the international community.

Yonhap News Agency

During a regular press briefing on January 8, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated, "The United States' withdrawal from organizations is no longer news," adding, "In fact, the purpose of international and multilateral organizations is not to represent the private interests of any single country, but to safeguard the common interests of their member states."

Spokesperson Mao further said, "This is precisely why the international system, with the United Nations (UN) at its core, has protected world peace and stability, promoted economic and social development, and ensured the equal rights and interests of all countries for over 80 years."

She emphasized, "Currently, the effective operation of the multilateral system is necessary to prevent the 'law of the jungle' from prevailing in international affairs, and it once again proves that international order does not have to be dictated by 'might makes right' or 'force equals justice.' This is what is most needed by the majority of countries today, especially smaller and weaker nations."

Mao added, "No matter how the situation changes, China will adhere to multilateralism, support the United Nations' central role in international affairs, and work with the international community to promote the establishment of a more just and reasonable global governance system."

Earlier, on January 7 (local time), President Trump signed a presidential memorandum withdrawing the United States from 31 UN-affiliated organizations, including the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, International Trade Centre, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, United Nations Democracy Fund, and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, as well as from 35 non-UN organizations such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, International Energy Forum, and International Union for Conservation of Nature.

The White House explained on its website, "Many of these organizations pursue radical climate policies, global governance, and ideological programs that conflict with U.S. sovereignty and economic strength."

Since taking office last year, President Trump has announced the withdrawal from the Paris Agreement on climate change and the World Health Organization (WHO), with related procedures underway. The U.S. has also decided to withdraw from the United Nations Human Rights Council, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

China, criticizing President Trump's "America First" policy, has asserted its intention to safeguard the international system with slogans such as "defending true multilateralism," "democratization of international relations," and "orderly multipolarization of the world."

Meanwhile, on the same day, spokesperson Mao commented on the U.S. seizure of a Russian-flagged oil tanker linked to Venezuela in the North Atlantic, saying, "Arbitrarily detaining foreign vessels in international waters is a serious violation of international law," and added, "China has always opposed illegal and unilateral sanctions that lack a basis in international law and are not authorized by the UN Security Council."