1. Hello, Mr. Qiu! During the epidemic, what is the current situation of Hongchang, as a Taiwanese-funded enterprise that processes vegetarian products in the domestic vegetarian industry?

Qiu Qiuyue: Due to the impact of the epidemic, logistics have been unstable during this period, resulting in insufficient supply of raw materials and goods being unable to be shipped. Employees have not yet fully returned to work. The key work is to prioritize epidemic prevention, strengthen customer service, and plan to promote the effective implementation of various tasks after the epidemic stabilizes.

2. This sudden disaster has brought losses to the whole society. As a food processing industry, have the losses been great? After the epidemic, work will resume soon. What measures will the company take to reduce losses, and what plans do they have for future development?

Qiu Qiuyue: The epidemic has severely impacted the food processing industry, including the upstream, midstream and downstream. Therefore, by strengthening customer (agent) services, mastering the market research results of various regions and channels, as the needs of subsequent work goals and business development, and focusing on channel development and product research and development.

3. This epidemic has sent a warning to the entire society that if humans cannot provide adequate protection for our living environment, then greater disasters will be inevitable. The epidemic is both an opportunity and a challenge for the development of the vegetarian industry. Can you express your views on this?

Qiu Qiuyue: All plagues in history are related to meat consumption, from SARS, foot-and-mouth disease, avian influenza, African swine fever to the current novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19), all of which tell us that it is time to adjust our eating habits and reduce meat consumption. Therefore, we need to increase the promotion of vegetarianism and make environmental protection and health demands the mainstream of future food culture.

4. As a professional vegetarian product processing company with diversified products, Hongchang has been steadily improving, innovatively developing, and making unremitting efforts to enrich the industrial chain. Could you please introduce your current product system to everyone?

Qiu Qiuyue: The company has always adhered to the business philosophy of innovation, environmental protection, health and service for decades since its establishment. In 2010, the company invested heavily to build a Suzhou factory in view of the concept of continuous pursuit of quality and innovation. Provide consumers with better, healthier and more delicious choices; to date, more than 300 product items have been developed, including vegetarian frozen product series (various steaks, ham, sausages, hot pot meatballs and soup bases, etc.), room temperature leisure series (various beef cubes, flavored sausages, meat floss, etc.), seasoning sauce series (braised meat sauce, cypress mushroom sauce, beef sauce, black bean sauce, etc.), prepared food series (pickled fish, preserved vegetable and pork, etc.), to meet the different customer needs for vegetarian products.

5. As a HACCP certified enterprise, improving the quality control system is an important basic work to provide safe food to the society. How does the company do this?

Qiu Qiuyue: The company has established a quality management system based on ISO22000:2005 and HACCP GB/T27341 standards, and has formulated quality policies and quality goals, determined the direction of the company's development, and through the implementation of the system, has made the company's management collaborative and scientific. It mainly analyzes and manages raw materials, production processes, etc. from three aspects: biological hazards, physical hazards, and chemical hazards to ensure food quality and safety.

6. In the post-epidemic era, people will undoubtedly re-examine our daily living habits, especially civilized and healthy eating choices. As an enterprise that mainly processes imitation meat and vegetarian foods, what products will you provide to meet social needs?

Qiu Qiuyue: The main reason for the popularity of plant-based foods is the contribution that plants themselves bring to people's health and environmental development. Taking soy protein as an example, its essential amino acid composition can meet the body's protein needs at all stages. More and more studies have shown that plant protein can lower blood lipids and low-density lipoprotein; soy protein hydrolysate-peptide has the function of promoting calcium absorption and growth and development; isoflavones have the effects of lowering blood sugar and protecting cardiovascular system, and also have good anti-cancer effects; spermidine plays an important role in preventing Alzheimer's disease, which is essential for health and immunity. Therefore, the company has long been committed to the research and development and production of plant meat. Under the premise of health and safety, it strictly controls the entire process from the strict selection of raw materials to the production and transportation. In terms of product items, the eating habits and needs of the Chinese people are also taken into consideration. At present, there are nearly 100 products on the market, which can basically meet the needs of customers.

7. With the successful listing of Beyondmeat, an American plant-based food deep processing company, on the Nasdaq, it also means that the era of plant-based meat replacing animal-based food has arrived. What are the differences between us and them? Where is the gap? What do you think about this?

Qiu Qiuyue: Judging from Beyondmeat's products on the market, both companies have their own strengths in product development and production technology, but the gap is not big. The difference lies in product items and flavors. In this regard, the company's product variety is richer, more diverse, and more down-to-earth. The relevant product introduction has been introduced above.

8. Taiwan's vegetarian industry developed earlier than the mainland and has become a more mature industry. What are the characteristics of its development, such as living habits, health and wellness, religious customs, etc.? What should the mainland learn from? Please share your views on this! 

Qiu Qiuyue: The development of Taiwan's vegetarian industry can be said to be quite prosperous, and each has its own characteristics. Due to Taiwan's small land area and dense population, the pressure of commercial competition is high. Most vegetarian restaurants have achieved so-called precise positioning, clearly understand their own conditions, resources and characteristics, pursue business philosophy, develop and grasp the customers they want, and meet customer needs and services. I think these can be provided for everyone's reference.

9. This epidemic has spread to a large area. What is the current situation of the epidemic in Taiwan? As a region with a developed service industry, especially the catering industry, what is the extent of the losses? How is people's daily life? Can you tell us about the situation?

Qiu Qiuyue: Taiwan has done a good job in controlling the epidemic so far, but we have also lost a considerable number of tourists. Other than that, it has not had much impact on our daily lives.

10. There is no doubt that after the epidemic, the vegetarian industry will have greater development opportunities. What do you think of this prospect? What measures will Hongchang take for the mainland market? What are your views on this?

Qiu Qiuyue: After Beyondmeat went public last year, the attention to plant-based meat has remained high. Coupled with everyone's reflection after this epidemic, the development of vegetarianism in mainland China should be just around the corner. In addition to being well prepared, Hongchang is also constantly improving its product taste, flavor, nutrition and other aspects to meet the needs of the general consumer population.

11. What message do you have for the development of vegetarianism in China? Please share it with friends in the vegetarian community. Thank you!

Qiu Qiuyue: With the advent of this wave of plant-based meat craze, some well-known non-vegetarian large-scale catering groups in China have paid attention to investing in vegetarian products. Under strict requirements on product quality, they have begun to prepare to introduce them. Taking advantage of this popular trend, they will promote plant-based meat and expand and improve corporate operating efficiency. At the same time, it should be an opportunity and a challenge for friends in the traditional vegetarian industry. We are optimistic about the future development of China's vegetarian industry, and we are also confident in investing in mainland vegetarian food. We believe that the future of mainland vegetarian food will be better after the epidemic!