Archive · 6 Oct 2026
China Plans Late WHO Leadership Bid as US Steps Back
China is reportedly planning to nominate Song Li to lead the World Health Organization.
The WHO works on health problems that affect many countries.
Song has worked in public health for about 20 years, including on health for mothers and children.
She would seek to replace the WHO’s current leader, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The organization is expected to publish the full list of candidates after meetings in early November.
Six other candidates have already made their names public.
The WHO is cutting back and reorganizing after the United States, its largest donor, stepped away.
China has offered more funding, but it has not replaced all the money lost.
Song could face questions about the WHO’s relationship with China during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Four diplomats and a source familiar with the matter say China plans to nominate Song Li to lead the World Health Organization.
Song is a senior public health official with two decades of experience in maternal and child health policy and international cooperation.
The contest is to succeed incumbent Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus; the WHO is expected to publish the full nominee list after regional meetings in early November.
Six candidates from Saudi Arabia, Belgium, Qatar, Botswana, Indonesia and Spain have already made their candidacies public.
The WHO is restructuring after losing its largest donor, the United States; China has pledged additional funding but has not filled the resulting gap.
- Who
- China plans to nominate public health official Song Li to lead the World Health Organization.
- What
- A late bid to succeed incumbent Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
- When
- Reported on October 6; the WHO is expected to publish the complete nominee list after regional meetings in early November.
- Where
- The World Health Organization leadership race, with the report filed from Geneva.
- Why
- A diplomatic source described the planned nomination as an effort by China to fill a void as the United States steps back from the WHO.
China’s expanded role
Concerns and scrutiny
US withdrawal and China’s bid
China’s expanded role
A diplomatic source characterized China’s planned nomination as an effort to fill a void as the United States steps back from the WHO.
Concerns and scrutiny
The report says China’s additional funding falls far short of replacing the United States’ contribution, and that Song’s candidacy could face scrutiny over the WHO’s relationship with China during the pandemic.
WHO and the COVID-19 pandemic
China’s expanded role
China is seeking a leadership role in the WHO, and Song previously edited a paper offering COVID-19 prevention and control guidance for women in China.
Concerns and scrutiny
The Trump administration criticized the WHO’s pandemic response and accused it of bias toward China; the WHO rejects that accusation.
- Reported nominee
- Song Li
- Current WHO director-general
- Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
- Song Li's experience
- 20 years in maternal and child health policy and international cooperation
- Other public candidates
- Six, representing Saudi Arabia, Belgium, Qatar, Botswana, Indonesia and Spain
- Expected full nominee list
- After final regional committee meetings, expected in early November
- WHO financial context
- The agency is restructuring after losing its largest donor, the United States; China has announced additional funding but has not filled the gap.
- Earlier WHO leadership
- If selected, Song would be the second Chinese national to head the WHO, after Margaret Chan.