China has nominated maternity health expert, Song Li, as its candidate to become the next Director-General of the World Health Organisation, following the United States’ withdrawal from the global health body.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, announced the nomination during a briefing, saying it reflected Beijing’s commitment to international cooperation.
The nomination “demonstrates China’s firm support for multilateralism” and “will help the organisation play a more active role in enhancing the health and well-being of all humanity”, Mao said.
Song is currently the head of the Department of Women and Child Health at China’s National Health Commission.
According to the WHO, she has 21 years of experience and has been involved in the development of laws concerning women’s and children’s health, including prenatal diagnosis and assisted reproductive technology.
She is seeking to succeed incumbent WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, whose second term expires in August 2027. Tedros is ineligible to seek another term because of the organisation’s two-term limit.
China’s nomination came after the September 24 deadline for candidates and could strengthen Beijing’s influence within the WHO following the United States’ withdrawal from the organisation under US President Donald Trump.
Trump had previously accused the WHO of being a “puppet of China”, particularly over its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, while China accused Trump of attempting to “shirk responsibility” to the organisation.
Song will compete against candidates from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, Spain, Indonesia and Botswana. The six other candidates comprise three men and three women.
If elected, Song would become only the second Chinese national to head the WHO, after Margaret Chan, who served as Director-General from 2007 to 2017.
The WHO, a United Nations agency, coordinates global efforts to improve health coverage and promote health and well-being worldwide.
