China has nominated a senior health official to lead the World Health Organization, positioning Beijing to expand its influence over global health policy as the United States withdraws from international institutions and the U.N. agency struggles with deep funding cuts.
The nomination of Song Li, confirmed on Thursday by China's foreign ministry, adds a major geopolitical dimension to the race to succeed WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, whose second and final five-year term ends in August 2027.
