Q: The World Health Organization (WHO) will elect a new Director-General in November this year. Does China intend to take part in the election?

A: China has been actively taking part in the international cooperation in the field of health, attaching importance to the significant role of WHO and is willing to make further contribution to the development of world health cause. The Chinese Government has decided to recommend Ms Margaret Chan, WHO Assistant Director-General in charge of communicable diseases who's of Chinese nationality, as the candidate for WHO Director-General.

Ms. Margaret Chan worked for Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government for a long time and was the first female Director of Health in Hong Kong. She has distinguished herself since she started working on prevention of communicable diseases in WHO in the year of 2003. Ms. Margaret Chan is learned in specialized medical knowledge, experienced in public health management and familiar with WHO organizational regulations. She has profound knowledge and original understanding on the challenges and opportunities faced by the current global health cause and has systematic and mature views on the future development of WHO. We believe that Ms. Margaret Chan's being elected as WHO Director-General will help WHO to play a more active role in the field of international health.