To prepare for her attempt to become Director-General of the
World Health Organization (WHO), Margaret Chan arrived in Hong Kong
Sunday afternoon from Beijing and explained that central government
had promised full support for her running for the top job.
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Chan, currently serving as WHO Assistant Director-General for
Communicable Diseases, told the press after arriving at Hong Kong
International Airport she had met with Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi and other senior officials from the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Health in the past two
days in Beijing. She felt the meetings had been important to assist
raise her competitiveness for the post.
Chan explained she'd visit dozens of countries and regions in
the run up to the appointment being made. She explained she'd
require much help from Chinese embassies and consulates around the
world. She emphasized that central government had promised to give
her full support.
Chan said that during her stay in Hong Kong she'd meet with
Chief Executive Donald Tsang and senior officials from health and
other related departments to discuss their views on major health
topics in the region.
The Chinese government announced Tuesday it would support Chan
to run for the WHO post and spoke highly of her contribution in
fighting communicable diseases.
The election for WHO Director-General will be in November this
year. Chan served in the Hong Kong government for 25 years before
taking up her current WHO post in 2003.
She did not reveal her time-table for the Hong Kong visit.
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(Xinhua News Agency July 31, 2006)