China Nominates Song Li for WHO Chief as US Withdrawal Strains Agency Funding
SCMP · 1 SOURCESabout 5 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
China has nominated health official Song Li to run for director general of the World Health Organization, the foreign ministry confirmed on October 8, 2026. If elected, Song would become the first person from mainland China to lead the UN health agency, succeeding Margaret Chan, who served from 2007 to 2017. Her nomination arrives as the WHO faces significant financial challenges following the US formal withdrawal from the organization in January 2026. China has pledged to increase its financial support to the global health body amid this leadership contest.
Key Points
- Song Li has over two decades of experience in maternal and children's health, previously serving as director general of the Department of Women and Children's Health at China's National Health Commission
- Since October 2023, Song has been a member of the secretariat of the All-China Women's Federation, bringing extensive health policy and international cooperation experience
- China previously nominated Song in 2023 for regional director of the WHO's Western Pacific Regional Office, demonstrating its sustained interest in WHO leadership
- The US formally left the WHO in January 2026, completing a withdrawal ordered by President Donald Trump shortly after he returned to the White House last year
- Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning stated that Song's election would help the WHO play "a more positive role in improving the health and well-being of all humanity"
Why It Matters
Song Li's nomination represents a significant shift in global health governance at a time when the WHO is navigating its most serious funding crisis. The US withdrawal has created a substantial gap in the organization's budget, making China's increased financial commitment and potential leadership position particularly consequential for the future of international health cooperation .
Song Li's nomination represents a significant shift in global health governance at a time when the WHO is navigating its most serious funding crisis. The US withdrawal has created a substantial gap in the organization's budget, making China's increased financial commitment and potential leadership position particularly consequential for the future of international health cooperation .