Chinese Officials Call for National Standards on Halal Food

numerous restaurants across China, a symbol of a commitment to prepare food in accordance with Islamic law

The Chinese characters for “pure” and “true,” signifying “halal,” hang over numerous restaurants across China, a symbol of a commitment to prepare food in accordance with Islamic law, including its ban on pork and alcohol.

As political leaders gathered in Beijing for the annual session of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, a government advisory body, officials once again raised the idea of imposing national standards on halal food, which have been under consideration since 2002.

Ma Guoquan, a delegate from Ningxia, a region in northwest China that is home to a large Muslim population, said it was important to respect the traditions of ethnic minorities and to promote the unity of Chinese society.

Islamic leaders said a set of national standards could help promote China’s image abroad.