China has nominated senior health official Song Li as its candidate to succeed Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus as Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The nomination, which could increase Beijing’s influence over the international body following the United States’ withdrawal this year, was announced after the September 24 deadline for the position.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, who confirmed the nomination on Thursday, said Beijing hoped Song would help the organisation play a more active role in promoting global health and well-being.
“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,” she said.
The WHO is expected to release the final and complete list of nominees for the leadership position in early November 2026, following regional committee meetings.
The new Director-General will be appointed by the World Health Assembly in May 2027.
Song is seeking to replace incumbent Director-General Ghebreyesus, whose term ends in August 2027 and who cannot seek another term under the WHO’s two-term limit.
According to the WHO, Song heads the Department of Women and Child Health at China’s National Health Commission and has 21 years of experience in the health sector.
She has participated in and organised the formulation of various laws relating to women’s and children’s health, including those on prenatal diagnosis and assisted reproductive technology.
Song will compete against candidates, including three men and three women, nominated by Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, Spain, Indonesia and Botswana.
If elected, she would become the second Chinese national to lead the WHO after Margaret Chan, who headed the organisation from 2007 to 2017.
China’s nomination gives Beijing an opportunity to increase its influence at the WHO following US President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw the United States from the organisation after his return to office in January, a move that deprived the agency of its largest donor and led to mass layoffs.
Trump has previously accused the WHO of being a “puppet of China”, particularly over its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
China, in response, accused Trump of trying to “shirk responsibility” onto the WHO.