On the morning of January 17th, the "Broad Food Perspective Knowledge System Seminar," co-hosted by the School of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development and the Food Studies Research Center at Renmin University of China, took place at Renmin University of China. This seminar aimed to implement the important directives of General Secretary Xi Jinping on "building China's independent knowledge system" and "establishing a broad view of food." It delved into the construction of a knowledge system from a broad food perspective, assisting in addressing the significant food concept of "securing the food supply, eating healthily, and ensuring long-term safety."

The "Seminar on Constructing a Comprehensive Food Perspective Knowledge System" saw attendance from distinguished guests including Yin Chengjie, Special Research Fellow of the Counselors' Office of the State Council and former Permanent Deputy Minister of Agriculture; Professor Jin Nuo, former Secretary of the Communist Party Committee of Renmin University of China; Professor Yang Dong, Dean of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies and Director of the Personnel Department at Renmin University of China; Tang Yuanyue, Executive Dean of the Institute for Rural Revitalization Studies at Renmin University of China and former President of Farmers' Daily; Professors Tang Zhong, Kong Xiangzhi, and Wang Zhigang from the School of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development at Renmin University of China; Yang Jiudong, Director of the Economics Department at Farmers' Daily, along with experts from the catering industry who participated in the seminar.

The seminar was hosted by Qiu Huanguang, Dean of the School of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development at Renmin University of China.

Liu Guangwei, Director of the Food Studies Research Center at Renmin University of China, delivered a specialized report on the construction of a comprehensive food perspective knowledge system and the establishment of the discipline of food studies. He analyzed the major food issues currently faced by humanity, emphasizing the necessity of establishing a comprehensive food perspective knowledge system. He stated that human society needs more systematic and comprehensive solutions to food issues, and constructing a comprehensive food perspective knowledge system is foundational to achieving this goal. Liu Guangwei introduced the ten elements of the comprehensive food perspective knowledge system and food studies, the establishment of the disciplinary framework of food studies, research on food studies, the compilation and publication of works and textbooks, and participation in relevant United Nations meetings and hosting of world forums. These efforts have promoted the development of the discipline and expanded the influence of food studies. He suggested that by establishing food studies-related majors and building a complete food studies system, support could be provided for training more professionals knowledgeable about food, consumers, and food systems, promoting sustainable development in the field of food in society.

Valuable opinions and suggestions on constructing a comprehensive food perspective knowledge system were put forward by the attending experts.

Yin Chengjie stated that the concept of a comprehensive food perspective is rich in content, covering multiple aspects of food including resources, pathways, production, consumption, culture, and economy. Deeply understanding and building a knowledge system around this comprehensive food perspective has significant theoretical value and practical significance, mainly reflected in several aspects: First, building a comprehensive food perspective knowledge system is an innovation in China's education field, which improves and supplements the existing disciplinary system; Second, it helps to lead and develop a distinctive Chinese comprehensive food economy; Third, it provides support for the educational and knowledge system to implement the concept of food security; Fourth, it promotes the transformation of traditional food resource management and utilization methods, securing more space for low-carbon, green, and circular development; Fifth, it benefits the in-depth study of new concepts and changes in food consumption.

Jin Nuo stated that constructing a comprehensive food perspective knowledge system is of great significance and is a concrete action to implement the important instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping, deserving recognition and support. Building an independent knowledge system is a long-term project where disciplines can prove their existence and the reality of their significance more from an academic and theoretical perspective. Regarding disciplinary construction, she used law and agriculture as examples to introduce the development of disciplinary construction in China and emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary fields in the current disciplinary system. She suggested that the construction of the food studies discipline should also refer to the norms of related disciplinary constructions, iterating through multiple meetings to ultimately achieve a breakthrough in disciplinary development. Third, through the comparison of research contents in related fields at home and abroad, it is necessary to further understand the latest research in related fields globally to ensure China have a complete discourse power in the independent knowledge system.

Tang Zhong stated that disciplinary construction should be close to practical work. He noted that in the past, the scope of food was narrowly defined, and General Secretary Xi Jinping proposed the "comprehensive food perspective" to correct this notion and solve current food issues.

Kong Xiangzhi expressed full recognition of Liu Guangwei's research and suggested that in the construction of the food studies discipline, it is necessary to further clarify the discipline's connotation and extension, sort out basic principles, and lay a solid foundation for subsequent research.

Wang Zhigang conducted a comparative analysis with Japan's research in the field, providing relevant experiences and references for disciplinary construction.

Tang Yuanjie stated that any discipline should combine theory with practice. He emphasized that the goal of practice should be to solve problems and to find practical methods from these problems. He believed that food studies should also focus on clearly identifying problems that can be solved and meet social needs, so that the discipline can have real value and significance.

Finally, Liu Guangwei expressed his gratitude for the experts' opinions and stated that food studies will adhere to the original intention of solving practical problems, striving to provide theoretical tools for the systemic management of global food issues.

The Food Studies Research Center at Renmin University of China will continue to focus on promoting the research and practice of the comprehensive food perspective knowledge system, contributing more wisdom and strength to solving food issues.