China nominates Song Li for WHO Director-General

China has nominated Song Li, a high-ranking public health official, for the position of Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO). Song Li possesses extensive experience in maternal and child health, as well as international cooperation, having played roles in managing health emergencies such as SARS and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Song Li is one of six candidates proposed to succeed the current Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, whose term ends in August 2027. The other nominees include representatives from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, Spain, Indonesia, and Botswana. If elected, Song Li would be the second Chinese national to lead the organization, following Margaret Chan.

A spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the candidacy demonstrates China’s support for multilateralism and aims to ensure the organization plays an active role in improving global health and well-being.