China has urged the U.S., following its return to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), to fulfill its obligations and commitments, pay membership dues in full and on time, and pay off as soon as possible the dues owed to UNESCO for many years.

The 193 UNESCO member states approved on Friday the proposal submitted by the United States to rejoin the organization during an Extraordinary Session of the General Conference.

After two days of discussions, 132 member states voted in favor and 10 against the return of the U.S. to an organization from which it has withdrawn twice, which experts say has had a negative impact on the organization's work.

Speaking to the press after voting, Yang Jin, permanent representative of China to UNESCO, said that the U.S. should contribute to promoting the unity and cooperation of the organization after its return, instead of engaging in confrontation and division.

Yang also called on the U.S. to adhere to true multilateralism, respect the sovereignty and social systems of all countries, respect and maintain social diversity, refrain from ideological confrontation, and commit to promoting mutual understanding and cooperation among member states.

The U.S. will fund the equivalent of 22 percent of the organization's regular budget, according to a press release from UNESCO.

Besides the progressive payment of the arrears, the U.S. will also make voluntary contributions to fund programs including those supporting access to education in Africa and the memory of the Holocaust, UNESCO said.

The U.S. pulled out of UNESCO in 1984 and 2017. In June this year, the U.S. sent a letter to the director-general of UNESCO, proposing to rejoin the organization as early as July based on a concrete financial plan, which includes a commitment to repay its estimated arrears of $619 million.

(With input from Xinhua)

(Cover: A photo shows the UNESCO logo during a speech by its director-general to announce the U.S. request to return to the institution, at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France, June 12, 2023. /CFP)