China’s WHO chief nominee has a Covid past: Who is Song Li?

BEIJING - China has nominated expert Song Li to lead the World Health Organization (WHO), a move that could bolster Beijing's influence over the international body following the US withdrawal this year. Foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning announced the candidate's selection at a news briefing, stating that the nomination exemplifies China's commitment to multilateralism and will enable the organization to assume a more proactive role in enhancing global health and well-being.

Song Li, a maternity health specialist, is poised to replace outgoing director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Ghebreyesus, whose term ends in August 2027, cannot run again due to the two-term limit. Song, who heads China's National Health Commission's Department of Women and Child Health, has over two decades of experience in formulating laws related to women and children's health, including prenatal diagnosis and assisted reproductive technology.

The nomination comes after the Sept 24 deadline and presents China with an opportunity to address the void left by the US' decision to withdraw from the organization upon re-election in January. The US President at the time, Donald Trump, had frequently criticized the WHO for being a "puppet of China," particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. China, in turn, accused Trump of attempting to "shirk responsibility" to the WHO.

If elected, Song will compete against candidates from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, Spain, Indonesia, and Botswana. If chosen, she would become the second Chinese national to lead the WHO, following Margaret Chan, who held the position from 2007 to 2017. The WHO, a UN agency, is responsible for global efforts to expand universal health coverage.