HONG KONG -- The Hong Kong government Monday showed its full support to Margaret Chan to run for the director- general of the World Health Organization (WHO) as the competition reaches its first crucial moment.

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WHO is expected to hold its first round of vote Monday evening to pick five candidates from the 11 director-general runners. To be one of the five needs to win at least 18 votes among 170 votes from 34 countries. WHO will announce the result on Tuesday.

York Chow, secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, said Monday that he believed Margaret Chan has the ability to enter into the top five with the support of Hong Kong and especially the Central government of China, though the competition is tough.

PY Lam, director of the Department of Health of Hong Kong, who is in Geneva to assist Margaret Chan during the competition, said he believes Margaret Chan can beat other candidates and enter the second stage of competition.

Lam said Margaret Chan is already a winner because she has won the support of 1.3 billion Chinese people.