When the race to succeed Annan began in 2006, it was widely expected the successful candidate would be Asian, since a number of Security Council members (including China, which has a veto) indicated they would only support an Asian candidate.
The successful candidate would be Asian. This was what it was widely expected. They would only support an Asian candidate. This was what a number of Security Council members (including China) indicated. The race to succeed Annan began in 2006. China has a veto.