China nominates Song Li for WHO chief; would be second Chinese national to lead the agency

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Foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning announced that Beijing is putting forward Song Li, director-general of the Department of Women and Children's Health at China's National Health Commission, for WHO director-general. Mao said the nomination "demonstrates China's firm support for multilateralism" and would help the organization "play a more active role in enhancing the health and well-being of all humanity."

Song is a senior public health official with more than 20 years of experience in maternal and child health policy and international cooperation, and served in 2020 as editor-in-chief of China's national guidelines for managing maternal and child health during the pandemic. If elected in the 2027 selection process, she would succeed Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who has served since 2017, and become the second Chinese national to lead the WHO after Margaret Chan (2006-2017).

Reuters first reported Beijing's plan on October 6, citing four diplomats and a source familiar with the matter. Six other contenders — from Saudi Arabia, Belgium, Qatar, Botswana, Indonesia and Spain — have already publicly declared their candidacies. The WHO is expected to release the complete list of nominees after regional committee meetings conclude in early November.

The US exit has forced the WHO into a sweeping restructuring, cutting senior management roles and eliminating thousands of jobs. China has announced additional funding for the agency but is far from filling the gap left by the United States.