Where Compassion Took Center Stage: Inside the 10th Asia-Pacific Vegan Union Conference in Hangzhou

Rune-Christoffer Dragsdahl, President of IVU (Chair of the International Council)

A landmark gathering of global leaders, ancient wisdom, and technological vision

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On the morning of November 6, 2025, just as the late-autumn sun warmed the canals of Hangzhou, the 10th Asia-Pacific Vegan Union Conference opened its doors at the Yinglan Center, marking the beginning of four days that would reaffirm Asia’s growing leadership in plant-based innovation. Held alongside the 10th Hangzhou Vegetarian Culture Festival, the event drew international experts, entrepreneurs, scholars, and activists into a single space pulsing with ideas and collaboration.

What followed was a cultural and scientific convergence: a festival rich in sensory exploration, and a conference strong in intellectual rigor. The result was a milestone moment for the Asia-Pacific region—one where traditional ethics met the accelerating momentum of digital, ecological, and nutritional innovation.

A Festival Ten Years in the Making

This year’s festival embraced the theme “素智融合 · 协同共盈”, a call to integrate compassion (“Su”) with intelligent innovation (“Zhi”). It was fitting for a conference that has spent a decade shaping Hangzhou into one of China’s leading vegetarian capitals.

Wang ZierThe opening ceremony, hosted by environmental advocate Wang Zier, carried both warmth and reflection. In his speech, he likened the festival’s ten-year journey to a clear spring that has flowed quietly yet persistently through the cultural fabric of the city.

Yang FengNext, Yang Feng, President of the Hangzhou Vegetarian Association, highlighted the resilience and cooperation that have sustained the festival’s growth. His remarks acknowledged support from government partners, industry leaders, and experts from around the world—an ecosystem of collaboration that made this landmark edition possible.

A symbolic countdown marked the start of the event, as water was poured over a seedling sculpture—an image that resonated deeply with the spirit of plant-based culture: growth through gentle, deliberate care.

A Collaborative Effort Led With Steady Coordination

Shara NgAmong the key organizers who ensured the international cohesion of the event was Shara Ng, serving simultaneously as IVU Counselor, IVU China Regional Representative, and Secretary-General of the Asia-Pacific Vegan Union. Her role in coordinating cross-border participation, aligning institutional partners, and ensuring smooth communication was frequently acknowledged by delegates.

Rather than seeking the spotlight, Shara worked with measured, effective leadership that helped connect the global IVU community with the rapid developments taking place in China’s vegetarian sector. Her contributions allowed international representatives to engage seamlessly with local organizations—something attendees noted as essential to the event’s success.

She stood on stage during the opening ceremony alongside key figures, including:

• Rune-Christoffer Dragsdahl, President of IVU (Chair of the International Council)

• Dr. Chen Bin, ESG and carbon-neutrality expert

• Yang Feng, President of the Hangzhou Vegetarian Association

Together, they set the tone for a conference grounded in cooperation and shared purpose.

IVU’s Strong Global Presence

At the center, Rune-Christoffer is the one who is bowing, with Marly Winckler and Dr. Eric Slywitch standing beside him.The International Vegetarian Union (IVU) brought one of its most robust delegations in recent years. Their involvement reaffirmed the organization’s long-standing commitment to global unity and plant-based education.

Among the key delegates:

• Rune-Christoffer Dragsdahl, President of IVU (Chair of the International Council), offered insights into coalition-building between agriculture and industry.

• Marly Winckler, Honorary President of IVU, spoke on the historical continuity of vegetarian culture and its modern social relevance.

• On the right, Bob Ratnarajah.Bob Sudharshan Ratnarajah, IVU Counselor, outlined key barriers to plant-based adoption in some Western countries and shared practical strategies for succeeding in a purpose-driven economy. He highlighted how mission-led business models can accelerate plant-based adoption and support sustainable growth.
  
  

• Dr. Eric Slywitch, Head of IVU’s Department of Medicine and Nutrition, presented evidence-based perspectives on plant-focused health solutions.

Their presence underscored IVU’s role as a bridge between global wisdom and regional innovation—a theme reflected throughout the conference.

Insights That Will Influence the Next Decade

The Asia-Pacific Vegan Union Conference brought forward a series of thought-provoking sessions, uniting scientific, ethical, and economic expertise.

1. “Vegetarianism & Wisdom” — Ethics Meets Evidence

Experts explored plant-based living through the lenses of health, sustainability, and philosophy:

• Prof. Ding Gangqiang of the China CDC highlighted the link between rising meat consumption and chronic disease prevalence.

• Dr. CK Ashok KumarDr. CK Ashok Kumar, APVU President, emphasized vegetarianism as a cross-cultural expression of non-violence.

• Rune-Christoffer Dragsdahl advocated for pragmatic cooperation between farmers and businesses, using the Danish model as a case study.

2. “New Era · New Momentum · New Vegetarianism” — The Digital Transformation

Afternoon sessions focused on the technological forces reshaping plant-based culture:

• Dr. Sailesh Rao, founder of Climate Healers, spoke on ecological solutions rooted in dietary change.

• Dr. Chen Bin outlined how sustainability and profitability are increasingly intertwined.

• Prof. Shen Lirong, Zhejiang University, connected traditional Chinese medicinal principles with modern nutritional strategies.

These discussions made clear that the future of vegetarianism in Asia will be innovative, data-informed, and globally collaborative.

A Marketplace Overflowing With Innovation

A traditional artisan delicacy from eastern China, this grey fermented tofu develops its unique slate color and deep umami flavor through natural fungal fermentation, giving it a nutty aroma and a firm, cheese-like texture cherished in Hangzhou’s street food culture.The festival’s Vegan Lifestyle Expo drew nearly 200 exhibitors, marking its largest scale to date. Visitors were met with an impressive range of products:

• Pure vegan dumplings, buns, breads, snacks, tofu dishes

• Plant-based meats and fermented soy innovations

• Vegan cosmetics and eco-friendly fashion

• New-tech companies showcasing supply-chain transparency and global distribution platforms

Despite occasional rain, the crowds were relentless. The lines for burgers, baozi, ice cream, and artisanal breads stretched down hallways. Enthusiasm was unshaken; if anything, it intensified.

Culture, Community, and Celebration

The festival extended far beyond its conference halls:

• The Autumn Harvest Vegan Banquet offered a sensory tribute to Hangzhou’s seasonal beauty.

• Evening Friendship Concerts brought together vegan performers, creating an atmosphere of shared joy and connection.

• The West Lake Yoga Festival provided a serene retreat merging mindfulness with plant-based wellness.

• plant-based leathersA dedicated Singles Meet-Up built community and challenged stereotypes about vegan social culture.

• Sustainability workshops showcased biomaterials, recycled textiles, and plant-based leathers.

It was not simply an industry event—it was a celebration of a lifestyle.

Hangzhou: A City That Nourishes Ideas

Few cities blend tradition and innovation as effortlessly as Hangzhou. The festival’s success owed much to this unique landscape—philosophical roots intertwined with modern ambition.

Over ten years, the Hangzhou Vegetarian Culture Festival has grown from a local initiative into a landmark event with global resonance. The city now stands confidently as a guiding force in China’s plant-based development.

A Future Shaped by Cooperation and Vision

Walking through the festival grounds, one sensed a clear momentum: this conference will influence policy, business decisions, educational programs, and cross-border alliances for years to come.

Rain or shine, the spirit is high! Celebrating tradition and compassion at the APVU Conference in Hangzhou.Asia’s leadership in plant-based innovation is rising—not only through economic growth, but through thoughtful collaboration among governments, civil society, and global networks like IVU.

With the combined efforts of international experts, local organizers, and regional representatives—including the measured and effective contributions of Shara Ng—the conference demonstrated how ideas become strategies, and strategies become movements.

As the final performances lit up the stage and the evening wind carried the scent of autumn across the Grand Canal, the feeling was unmistakable:

Something important has begun.
Something global, hopeful, and rooted in compassion.

And from Hangzhou, its branches will continue to grow.