Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Tuesday stressed that international organizations are not arenas for geopolitical games.

Spokesperson Wang Wenbin made the remarks at a regular press conference when asked to comment on the U.S. decision to rejoin the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The U.S. withdrew from UNESCO at the end of 2018. However, the U.S. State Department spokesperson confirmed on Sunday that the U.S. had privately notified the UN agency of its interest in rejoining.

Responding to the media question, Wang said the U.S. can't come and go as it pleases. He said he hopes the U.S. side is responsible and has an original intention of supporting multilateralism and promoting international cooperation this time.

Being a member of an international organization is a very serious matter, and if the U.S. side is sincere in rejoining this time, it should show its sincerity in abiding by international rules and respecting the international rule of law, Wang said.

The spokesperson urged the U.S. to effectively fulfill its international obligations as a responsible country, including paying back dues it owed to UNESCO as soon as possible.

The U.S. has racked up about $500 million in unpaid dues to UNESCO.

(Cover: The UNESCO logo. /CFP)