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Chinese candidate, Hong Kong's former health Director of Health Margaret Chan. [file photo]

China's candidate to head the World Health Organization (WHO) took pole position Monday after the first round of voting for the top job in global health.

Hong Kong's former health Director of Health Margaret Chan, who temporarily stood down as the WHO's head of communicable diseases to campaign, got 32 votes and had a slight lead over other candidates.

However, the chances of Chan being elected remain uncertain, according to analysts.

The race for the United Nation's health agency top post entered the second day as the five shortlisted candidates was each interviewed for an hour by WHO's 34-member executive board, with the first 30 minutes devoted to credentials presentation and the remaining answering questions.  

Chan was followed by Japan's Shigeru Omi (31), Mexico's Julio Frenk (30), Kuwait's Kazem Behbehani (28), and Spain's Elena Salgado (28).

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A final voting will be held Wednesday, and the board's nominee will be put to the 193-member World Health Assembly on Thursday for endorsement. The board will eliminate the candidate with least votes until having one of them securing half of the votes.

Observers said the six votes of Americas might be given to Japan's candidate should Frenk be defeated, but a portion of the eight votes of Europe, especially representatives of Eastern Europe countries, might go to the Chinese candidate.

Latvia and Thailand representatives said both Chan and Omi were competent and should be given priority.

A combo picture of the other two favorate of the world health agency's top post -- Japan's Shigeru Omi (L) and Mexico's Julio Frenk (R). [File Photo]

China's Vice-Minister of Health Huang Jiefu said Chan had good communication skills to impress the interview board. He, however, said it was still uncertain whether Chan would be elected as it depends on political considerations of board members. "Political consideration is very crucial," he said.

The previous incumbent Lee Jong-wook of South Korea, died in May, triggering the new election.

If Chan wins the vote, it will be the first time that China has held the top job in one of the United Nations' major agencies.

The international profile of the WHO, which has a two-year budget of US$3.3 billion, has increased dramatically in recent years with the emergence of global health emergencies such as AIDS and threats from new diseases including SARS and bird flu.