Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi (R) meets with Margaret Chan at Beidaihe, a summer seaside resort in northern China's Hebei Province, July 29, 2006. (Xinhua Photo)

    BEIDAIHE, Hebei, July 29 (Xinhua) -- China considers the role played by the World Health Organization (WHO) is very important and the Chinese government will fully support Margaret Chan's candidacy for the position of WHO Director-General, Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi said.

    Wu made the remark when she met with Chan Saturday at Beidaihe, a summer seaside resort in northern China's Hebei Province.

    "China is willing to make a bigger contribution to world health development and recommends you run for the position of WHO Director-General as China's candidate", Wu told Chan, stressing that China considers Chan's leadership skills, sense of responsibility, professional background and devotion to health issues give her the right profile for the post.

    "As a female candidate, I believe you have some advantages in this election", Wu added.

    Margaret Chan expressed her appreciation for the central government's trust and support, vowing she will do her utmost to promote world health development if she succeeds in the election campaign.

    Chan currently serves as WHO Assistant Director-General for Communicable Diseases. The election for Director-General will takeplace in November this year.

    In 1994, Chan was appointed the first female Director of Healthin Hong Kong. In 2003, she joined the WHO and worked as WHO's Director of the Department of Protection of the Human Environment. In June 2005, she was appointed Director of Communicable Diseases Surveillance and Response as well as Representative of the Director-General for Pandemic Influenza.