The Asian Expert Group Meeting on the International Standard for Shiology

On May 28, the Asian Expert Group Meeting on the International Standard Shiology — Concepts and Frameworks was successfully convened in Beijing. Organized by the Organization for Trade Development and Standards Cooperation (ODCCN), the meeting was held in a hybrid format, combining both in-person and online participation. Experts and scholars from across Asia—including representatives from Pakistan, India, Nepal, Indonesia, Oman, Qatar, and Cambodia—gathered to discuss the development of the international standard on Shiology, with the aim of establishing a knowledge-based framework to address global shiance issues and contribute to the transformation of global food systems.

The meeting was chaired by Mr. Yao Xin, Secretary-General of ODCCN. Opening remarks were delivered by Mr. Cui Gang, former Deputy Director of the Standardization Administration of China (SAC), and Mr. Liu Guangwei, Chairman of the Beijing Shiology Research Institute and Director of the Research Center for Shiology at Renmin University of China.Discussions at the meeting centered on the significance of Shiology and the pathway toward its standardization. Participants explored how the Shiology — Concepts and Frameworks standard could serve as a practical tool to address pressing global challenges such as hunger, public health, and food waste.

In his opening speech, Mr. Cui Gang emphasized that Shiology, as an emerging body of knowledge developed by Chinese scholars, holds significant potential for optimizing food resources worldwide. He stressed that international standardization is a critical step in promoting both the global dissemination and practical application of Shiology, and praised the ODCCN team’s efforts, calling the task “challenging and far-reaching.” He noted that this endeavor represents a historic contribution to the advancement of global well-being and the modernization of food systems.

Mr. Liu Guangwei expressed his appreciation to the participating experts and delivered a comprehensive analysis of the current global food system challenges. He underscored the need for a coherent and systematic knowledge framework to resolve these issues, stating that Shiology offers such a solution by integrating the concepts of eaters, food, and shi-order, thus encompassing the entire food system chain.

Country Contributions

Indonesia

Professor Sri Fatimah of the University of Padjadjaran offered detailed recommendations on the terminology and structural framework of Shiology. She acknowledged its broad scope as a systematic exploration of eaters, food, and shi-order, but advised that further refinement of terminology would help avoid conceptual overlap and improve clarity during the standard-setting process.

Cambodia

Dr. Kimlong Chheng, President of the Asian Vision Institute (AVI), emphasized the critical role of building a standardized Shiology system. He suggested optimizing the categorization of terminology to enhance the standard’s practical utility.

Nepal

Professor Rudra Bahadur Shrestha from Purbanchal University lauded the Shiology standard as a forward-looking and innovative initiative. He expressed strong support for the project and pledged to further engage in collaborative efforts.

Experts from Pakistan, India, Oman, and Qatar also actively participated in the dialogue, sharing insights and suggestions to strengthen the standard’s international applicability.

Key Outcomes of the Meeting

1.The construction and release of the Shiology international standard will be accelerated.

2.The regular expert discussion will be held to facilitate the exchange of experiences.

3.As the first international standardization project based on Shiology, this initiative marks a practical application of Chinese academic innovation in global governance. By establishing a standardized Shiology framework, the project will support progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and promote the emergence of a healthier, more equitable, and sustainable global food system.

The next phase of the project will continue with the European Expert Group Meeting, scheduled to be held in Paris, France, on July 17, to further advance the development and international promotion of the Shiology standard.

The draft of the International Standard Shiology — Concepts and frameworks is as follows: