China nominates Song Li for WHO director-general position

China has nominated senior public health official Song Li as its candidate to become the next Director-General of the World Health Organization.

The nomination was confirmed by China's Foreign Ministry on Thursday, October 8, 2026, as the international race to succeed incumbent WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus gathers momentum.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Song's nomination demonstrated China's support for multilateralism and its commitment to strengthening global health cooperation.

If elected, Song would succeed Tedros, whose second five-year term ends on August 15, 2027. The WHO's formal election process will culminate in the appointment of the next director-general by the World Health Assembly in May 2027.

Who is Song Li?

Song is a senior Chinese public health official with about two decades of experience in maternal and child health policy and international cooperation.

She has been involved in China's response to major public health emergencies, including SARS, avian influenza and COVID-19, and contributed to the development of national pandemic-response standards.

China said her experience would position her to contribute to the WHO's work on global health and international cooperation.

Her nomination comes as China seeks a greater role in international institutions. Beijing has increasingly sought to expand its influence within multilateral organisations, while the United States has reduced its involvement in some UN bodies and withdrew from the WHO under President Donald Trump.

Other candidates in the race

Song is entering an increasingly competitive field.

Candidates already recognised by the WHO include Qatar's Hanan Mohammed Al-Kuwari, Saudi Arabia's Hanan Balkhy, Belgium's Hans Henri P. Kluge, Spain's María P. Neira, Indonesia's Budi Gunadi Sadikin and Botswana's Gevorg Tamamyan.

The WHO's formal list of candidates will be published after the final regional committee meeting in early November. The deadline for Member States to submit candidatures was September 24, 2026.

The Executive Board is expected to shortlist and nominate up to three candidates in January 2027. The World Health Assembly will then select the next director-general in May 2027.

China's renewed bid for WHO leadership

Song's nomination gives China an opportunity to secure the leadership of the UN health agency for the second time.

The first Chinese national to lead the WHO was Margaret Chan, who served as director-general from 2007 to 2017.

The nomination comes at a particularly important moment for the organisation. The WHO continues to face pressure over its finances, global health emergencies and its relationship with major member states.

China has sought greater responsibility within UN agencies and has increased its engagement with multilateral institutions.

Beijing's nomination of Song could therefore have significance beyond the leadership contest itself, particularly as governments debate the future direction, financing and independence of global health institutions.

The WHO's current director-general, Tedros, began his second term in August 2022 and cannot be reappointed for a third term under the organisation's rules.

The final outcome will depend on the WHO's multi-stage selection process, with Member States ultimately choosing the next director-general at the World Health Assembly.