Wang Yi Meets UN Chief Candidate Bachelet in Beijing

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Michelle Bachelet, a leading candidate for the next United Nations Secretary-General, in Beijing on June 4, 2026, in a meeting that underscores China’s active engagement in the UN leadership selection process. The meeting comes as the race to succeed António Guterres, whose term ends on December 31, 2026, intensifies ahead of Security Council straw polls expected in late July.

Context of the Meeting

Bachelet, a former President of Chile (2006–2010, 2014–2018) and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (2018–2022), is one of five registered candidates for the position. She was jointly nominated on February 2, 2026, by Brazil, Mexico, and Chile, though Chile’s new government under President José Antonio Kast withdrew its support in March 2026. She retains the backing of Brazil and Mexico, two major Latin American powers.

The meeting occurred shortly after Wang Yi returned from presiding over a high-level Security Council meeting in New York in late May, where he discussed UN reform and the importance of strengthening multilateralism. According to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wang articulated China’s criteria for the next Secretary-General using 16 Chinese characters: uphold the Charter, outstanding ability, fair and upright, and fulfill responsibilities.

Key Statements

During the meeting, Bachelet reaffirmed her commitment to the One-China policy and praised China’s role in multilateralism. As reported by China News Service, she stated: “The United Nations is an indispensable platform for jointly addressing global challenges. The world today is fraught with chaos; we need more multilateralism, not less.”

Wang Yi responded by emphasizing China’s constructive role in the selection process. “The selection of the next Secretary-General concerns the direction of the UN’s reform and development over the next five to ten years, and concerns the vital interests of UN member states, especially Global South countries,” Wang said, according to People’s Daily. “China will participate in the next Secretary-General election with a responsible and constructive attitude, and will work to reinvigorate the UN’s authority and vitality.”

The UN Secretary-General Race

The 2026 selection process, which formally began in November 2025, features a competitive field of five registered candidates. Four of them—Bachelet, Rafael Grossi (Argentina), Rebeca Grynspan (Costa Rica), and María Fernanda Espinosa (Ecuador)—hail from the Latin American and Caribbean Group, reflecting the informal expectation that it is Latin America’s “turn” to lead the UN. The fifth candidate, Macky Sall of Senegal, represents the African Group.

As Wikipedia notes, the UN has never had a female Secretary-General in its 80-year history, making gender a significant theme of this election. Both Bachelet and Grynspan are women. Bachelet told reporters in April that she hopes the world is “finally ready” for a female UN chief, according to France 24.

China’s Strategic Positioning

China’s engagement in the selection process is particularly noteworthy given Bachelet’s complex history with Beijing. As UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, she oversaw the release of a controversial report on Xinjiang that China strongly criticized. However, her meeting with Wang Yi and her public statements suggest both sides are seeking a constructive working relationship.

Wang Yi’s emphasis on Global South interests aligns with China’s broader diplomatic strategy of positioning itself as a champion of developing nations. The UN News analysis notes that the selection will be shaped by powerbroking among the five permanent members of the Security Council, whose political differences over crises in Ukraine, Gaza, and Iran could complicate consensus-building.

What’s Next

Bachelet is expected to visit Russia in the coming days, following her Beijing meeting, as part of a strategic outreach to all P5 members. The UN Security Council is expected to begin informal straw polls in late July 2026, with the final appointment by the General Assembly anticipated between August and October. The new Secretary-General will take office on January 1, 2027.

The outcome of this selection will have significant implications for the UN’s direction over the next decade, particularly regarding multilateralism, institutional reform, and the balance of power between developed and developing nations.