China has nominated senior health official Song Li as its candidate for the position of Director-General of the World Health Organisation WHO.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning announced the nomination on Thursday, saying it demonstrated China’s support for multilateralism and would help the organisation play a more active role in improving global health and wellbeing.

Song is the head of the Department of Women and Child Health at China’s National Health Commission and has 21 years of experience in maternal and child health policy and international cooperation.

She has participated in the formulation of policies and laws relating to women and children’s health, including prenatal diagnosis and assisted reproductive technology.

Song also took part in China’s response to major public health emergencies, including SARS, avian influenza and COVID-19, according to her official biography.

She is seeking to succeed the incumbent WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, whose second term ends in August 2027. Under WHO rules, Tedros is not eligible for another term.

China’s nomination came after the September 24 deadline for submitting candidatures, with the organisation expected to publish the complete list of nominees after the final regional committee meetings in November.

Song joins candidates from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, Spain, Indonesia and Botswana who have already made their bids public.

If elected, she would become the second Chinese national to head the WHO after Margaret Chan, who served as Director-General from 2007 to 2017.

The election process will see the WHO Executive Board nominate up to three candidates for consideration by the World Health Assembly, which is scheduled to appoint the next Director-General in May 2027.

China said Song’s nomination reflected its commitment to strengthening international cooperation on global health and supporting the WHO’s role in addressing health challenges worldwide.