China nominates Song Li to run for WHO Director-General, foreign ministry says
In short
China has nominated Dr Song Li (宋莉) as a candidate for Director-General of the World Health Organization, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular press conference in Beijing on October 8. Mao said the nomination shows China's firm support for multilateralism and the WHO, and that Song Li, if elected, would help the organisation play a more active role in improving the health and well-being of all humanity.
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China has nominated Dr Song Li (宋莉) as a candidate for Director-General of the World Health Organization, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at the ministry's regular press conference on October 8. Mao made the statement in answer to a reporter's question about the WHO Director-General election. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
According to China News Service, the reporter said there were reports that China would nominate a high-level official for the post and asked whether China could confirm this. Mao replied by naming Song Li as China's nominee. [ 3 ]
Mao described the WHO as the United Nations' specialised agency in the field of health, playing a leading and coordinating role in global health governance. Mao said multilateralism is under pressure, that global health development still has a long way to go, and that the Director-General's role is especially important in how the WHO keeps a steady course amid new changes and circumstances. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Mao said the nomination reflects China's willingness to work with all parties to build a "community of common health for mankind" and shows China's firm support for multilateralism and the WHO. "We believe that if Dr Song Li is elected Director-General of the WHO, it will help the organisation play a more active role in improving the health and well-being of all humanity," Mao said, as quoted by Xinhua. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
The statement was carried within about 20 minutes by official outlets Xinhua and China News Service and by business outlets CLS, Yicai and Jiemian. CLS credited its report to The Paper, while Yicai and Jiemian cited CCTV News. None of the reports gave details of Song Li's background or current position, or of the timing of the election. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Why it matters
China is putting forward a candidate to lead the WHO, which Mao described as the United Nations' specialised health agency with a leading and coordinating role in global health governance. The foreign ministry framed the bid as support for multilateralism at a time when, Mao said, multilateralism is under pressure.
Key facts
- China has nominated Dr Song Li (宋莉) to run for Director-General of the World Health Organization. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning announced the nomination at the ministry's regular press conference on October 8. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- The reporter's question referred to reports that China would nominate a high-level official for the post. [ 3 ]
- Mao said multilateralism is under pressure and that the Director-General's role is especially important for the WHO's direction. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Mao said the nomination shows China's firm support for multilateralism and the WHO. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Mao said that if elected, Song Li would help the WHO play a more active role in improving the health and well-being of all humanity. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- China has nominated Dr Song Li (宋莉) to run for WHO Director-General. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning announced the nomination at the regular press conference on October 8. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Mao said the nomination shows China's firm support for multilateralism and the WHO. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Still unclear
- Song Li's background and current position. None of the documents describe who Song Li is beyond the title of doctor.
- Whether Song Li is the high-level official mentioned in the reports the reporter cited. Only China News Service reports the question's wording, and Mao's answer does not describe Song Li's rank.
- When the WHO Director-General election will take place and who else is running. The documents give no election date or other candidates.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- CLS reports the foreign ministry's statement that China has nominated Song Li. [ 1 ]
- Yicai carries the statement, citing CCTV News. [ 2 ]
- China News Service publishes the question and Mao Ning's answer. [ 3 ]
- Xinhua reports the nomination. [ 4 ]
- Jiemian carries the statement, citing CCTV News. [ 5 ]