China Nominates Song Li for WHO Leadership Role

China has officially nominated Song Li, a senior official at the National Health Commission, to succeed Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus as Director-General of the World Health Organization. Song Li has approximately two decades of experience in maternal and child health policy and international cooperation, having coordinated responses to major public health crises such as SARS, avian influenza, and COVID-19.

Notably, she served as editor-in-chief of a COVID-19 prevention and control publication in 2020, which influenced national guidelines for protecting women and children during the pandemic. If elected, Song would be the first person from mainland China to lead the WHO, following Margaret Chan, who served from 2007 to 2017.

The nomination comes as China seeks a more prominent role in international organizations amid reduced U.S. engagement in the UN system. The WHO Executive Board will review candidates in early 2027, narrowing the field for a vote at the World Health Assembly in May 2027.