TAIPEI, Oct 8: China has nominated senior health official Song Li for the post of World Health Organisation (WHO) director general, signalling Beijing’s continued efforts to strengthen its role in international institutions.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning announced the nomination on Thursday, saying it reflected the country’s commitment to multilateral cooperation and global health initiatives.
“China’s nomination of Dr. Song Li to run for the position reflects China’s willingness to work with all parties to jointly promote the building of a community of health for all humanity, and demonstrates China’s firm support for multilateralism and the WHO,” Mao said.
Song is an experienced public health official who has contributed to responses to major health emergencies, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the SARS outbreak. Her areas of expertise include maternal and child healthcare policies and international cooperation, according to her official biography.
The WHO is scheduled to elect its next director general at the World Health Assembly in May. The successful candidate will succeed Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, whose second five-year term ends on August 15. Under WHO rules, he cannot seek another term.
China’s nomination comes amid broader efforts by Beijing to secure greater representation in United Nations institutions. Meanwhile, the administration of US President Donald Trump has withdrawn from dozens of international and UN bodies.
Chinese nationals have previously headed as many as four UN organisations simultaneously. At present, Qu Dongyu, who leads the Food and Agriculture Organisation based in Rome, is the only Chinese national heading a UN organisation.
Other officially announced candidates for the WHO leadership include Qatar’s Dr Hanan Mohammed Al-Kuwari, Saudi Arabia’s Dr Hanan Balkhy, Belgium’s Dr Hans Kluge, Spain’s Dr Maria Neira, Indonesia’s Budi Gunadi Sadikin and Botswana’s Dr Gevorg Tamamyan.
Although the deadline for submitting candidacies was September 24, countries may announce their nominees publicly at a later date.
The WHO executive board is expected to review the candidates during its meetings in late January and early February. It will narrow the field to three nominees for consideration by member states at the World Health Assembly in May, where the next director-general will be elected.