On August 31, 2006, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing met with visiting Minister of Health and Social Security Madame Siv Friðleifsdóttir and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Social Security and candidate for the next term of Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Mr. David Gunnarsson.

Madame Friðleifsdóttir said that the government of Iceland has decided to nominate Mr. Gunnarsson as the candidate for the new Director-General of the WHO and expects support from China. Mr. Gunnarsson briefly introduced his vision on the future development of the WHO.

Li thanked the Icelandic side for informing China of the decision, noted that China attaches great importance to the role of the WHO and expressed appreciation to Mr. Gunnarsson for his spirit of being willing to take the important position in the WHO. He added that China has nominated Margaret Chan, Assistant Director-General of the WHO and former Director of Health of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as the candidate for the post of WHO Director-General. He stressed it is China's hope that no matter who is elected the new Director-General will work hard to promote the development of the WHO and push for the in-depth development of global health cooperation.