Pick World Bank chief based on merit: FM

BEIJING - China called for the next World Bank chief to be picked based on merit, as current President Robert Zoellick plans to vacate the post traditionally held by a US citizen.

The next leader should be selected "based on merit and open competition", Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said at a briefing in Beijing on Thursday. Liu was responding to a question on whether the next head of the World Bank should be from a developing nation. Zoellick's term ends in June.

During his tenure, Zoellick worked hard to help developing countries face the challenges of the global financial crisis, Liu said.