World Shiology Forum focusing on food system opens in Hainan

The 5th World Shiology Forum opened on Wednesday in Haikou, Hainan province, focusing on the theme of addressing food system issues through Shiology. The forum brought together global stakeholders to discuss governance of food affairs.

The forum released the "Global Food Systems and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Report (2025)", which was presented to United Nations representatives. The report, compiled by experts from 115 countries, marks a step toward turning Shiology theory into practice.

The report outlines a three-year implementation plan, starting with an assessment of key issues in 2025, followed by a food issues index in 2026, and culminating in long-term governance solutions in 2027.

In the report's foreword, former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon emphasized the need for a comprehensive knowledge system covering the entire food system, stating that "Shiology is such a knowledge system".

In a written message delivered by China's Special Envoy for Climate Change Liu Zhenmin, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the holistic principle of Shiology "points the way for exploring the path of human coexistence". He noted that recognizing the interconnections between society, ecosystems, and the economy is essential for building resilience and unity.

Food issues are a critical area of global governance, with 13 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals closely linked to food. Current challenges include hundreds of millions facing hunger, over 2 billion suffering from hidden hunger, about 3 billion threatened by food safety issues, and one-third of all food produced being wasted.

Li Feng, vice-governor of Hainan, said food security is a cornerstone of national welfare and social stability. He noted that Hainan, as China's only tropical island province and free trade port, is implementing a "Big Food View" approach by developing a modern seed industry, promoting green production, and improving cold-chain logistics.

Yang Xiaobo, a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, warned that failing to address food issues could jeopardize the entire 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. He said Shiology integrates fragmented knowledge into a cohesive system, offering a Chinese approach to global food governance.

The forum introduced a new theoretical framework called the "Five Food Needs": basic sustenance, dietary diversity, food safety, healthy longevity, and sustainable supply. Liu Guangwei, director-general of the World Shiology Forum and director of the Research Center for Shiology at Renmin University, said this framework signifies the maturation of Shiology as an interdisciplinary field. The theory systematically integrates the multi-level demands of "Eaters, Food and Food Order", providing an analytical tool for global governance.

Wu Hongbo, a former UN under-secretary-general, said Shiology provides an integrated framework and a full-chain approach to understanding food system issues.

Zhu Juwang, director of the Public Institutions and Digital Government Division and officer-in-charge of the Sustainable Development Division at the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, acknowledged China's efforts. He confirmed the UN's support for the forum and highlighted the importance of Shiology's holistic principle and its "Five Food Needs" framework for tackling global food challenges.