BEIJING - China firmly supports the work of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a regular news briefing, spokesperson for the ministry Guo Jiakun said China noted that UNESCO and multiple countries expressed their regrets over the US's decision to withdraw from the organization again. "It's the third US withdrawal from UNESCO and the country hasn't paid arrears for a long time. This is not what a major country should do."

The purpose of UNESCO is to advance international cooperation in education, science and culture, promote the mutual understanding and integration of civilizations, uphold world peace, and achieve common development, he said, adding that China firmly supports UNESCO's work.

READ MORE: China urges US to be sincere in rejoining UNESCO

On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the founding of the UN, China calls on all countries to reaffirm their commitment to multilateralism, and take concrete action to support the UN-centered international system, the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, the spokesperson said.