China plans late entry into race to lead WHO: Sources

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, October 8, 2026

China is set to nominate Song Li, a senior public health expert, for the World Health Organization’s director-general position, aiming to increase its influence after the U.S. withdrew from the agency. Her candidacy could shift the leadership race amid geopolitical tensions and the WHO’s ongoing efforts to manage global health crises like Ebola and post-pandemic recovery.

China is preparing to enter the race to lead the World Health Organization (WHO) with a late-stage nomination, according to multiple diplomatic sources familiar with the matter. This move comes as Beijing seeks to expand its influence within global health governance following the United States’ decision to withdraw from the agency.

The candidate China intends to propose is Song Li, a senior public health official recognized for her two decades of experience in maternal and child health policy and international cooperation frameworks. Song’s qualifications include serving as editor-in-chief of a 2020 publication that provided national standards for managing maternal and child health during the Covid-19 pandemic in China. If appointed, she would become the second Chinese national to hold the top position at the WHO, following Margaret Chan.

The announcement signals China’s intention to fill the leadership vacuum left by the U.S., which under the Trump administration increasingly distanced itself from multilateral institutions, including the WHO. Washington’s withdrawal, effective in mid-2021, followed sustained criticism of the agency’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic and allegations of bias favoring China—claims the WHO has rejected. The loss of U.S. funding, historically the largest contributor to the organization, has forced the WHO to undergo significant restructuring, including scaling back programs, reducing senior management roles, and terminating thousands of positions.

While China has pledged additional financial support to the WHO, it has yet to bridge the funding gap created by the U.S. exit. The nomination of Song is part of a broader Chinese strategy to assume a more proactive role within United Nations agencies and other international organizations, against the backdrop of a reduced American presence in the UN system.

The WHO is expected to publish the final list of candidates after its regional committee meetings conclude in early November. Currently, six contenders from Saudi Arabia, Belgium, Qatar, Botswana, Indonesia, and Spain have publicly announced their bids. Song’s entry introduces a new dynamic to the contest, particularly given ongoing geopolitical tensions regarding the agency’s handling of global health crises and its relationship with China.

The leadership race unfolds as the WHO continues to lead efforts addressing urgent health challenges, including the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. The next director-general will play a critical role in steering the agency through these ongoing and future challenges.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.