Success Story – Cristina Wu of Shushufufu 

“Sustainability is a One Health concept,” says Ms. Wu. “Plant-based diets are a wonderful thing. 

Ms. Wu is the co-founder of Shushufufu

Cristina Wu is a plant-based powerhouse. Hailing from Taiwan, Ms. Wu is based in Shanghai, where she co-founded the vegetarian community, Shushufufu. Shushufufu has had an incredible presence at ACTAsia’s Plant Forward festivals, and we are thrilled to be spotlighting Ms. Wu. 

Cristina Wu’s story is one of profound transformation. Her plant-based journey is a testament to the mutually uplifting power of community. For Ms. Wu has not always been the plant-based pundit that she is now (though her commitment and passion may indicate otherwise). In fact, before transitioning to a plant-based lifestyle and co-founding Shushufufu, Ms. Wu had a 26-year career at McDonalds. It was only four years ago that she shifted to plant-based living and advocacy.

Ms. Wu came to understand that dietary decisions have major implications on global health

When asked about her immense lifestyle and career transformation, Ms. Wu points to the earth-shattering context of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. 

“I was in Shanghai at that time, still engaged in the catering industry,” she remembers. She recalls the constant questioning that the pandemic brought about for her: “Why is this happening? How did it come to be?” 

Ms. Wu began giving serious thought to human-animal relations, to questions of health and sanitation in relation to animals. Through the coronavirus pandemic, Ms. Wu came to understand that dietary decisions have major implications on global health. The more she learned about the myriad damages of factory farming, including zoonotic diseases and viral pandemics, the more motivated she became to change her life. 

In 2020, Ms. Wu decided that she wanted to try a plant-based diet. “I wanted to try a vegetarian diet but was nervous,” she says. “I found a few friends [who were also curious about switching to a plant-based diet],” friends who were also increasingly concerned about the health and ethics of animal consumption. 

“We challenged each other to 30 meat-free meals,” says Ms. Wu, “It went really well.” 

“I used to worry that I couldn’t do it, but through embarking on a plant-based adventure with friends, I realised that in fact, it could be done.” 

“That is how Shushufufu started,” says Ms. Wu, “as a group of like-minded people who wanted to make a change.” 

Shushufufu: loving animals, the environment, health and delicious food

Shushufufu is an online community now consisting of over 270 members that promotes a healthy vegan lifestyle. The organisation shares sustainable practices that focalise physical and mental nourishment, animal welfare, environmental protection, and plastic reduction. Shushufufu creates a supportive environment for people to explore plant-based diets through online and offline events. 

“Shushufufu revolves around core concepts: love animals, love environmental protection, love health, and love delicious food,” shares Ms. Wu. As she and her co-founders continued their plant-based journey, “we discovered that there were changes happening beyond simply our bodies,” reflects Ms. Wu. “We became more compassionate, too.” Spreading compassion through a plant-based diet is the foundation upon which the Shushufufu community continues to grow. 

Ms. Wu recalls excitement when discovering ACTAsia. “Our values are very similar,” she says. Shushufu’s support of ACTAsia has allowed both organisations to strengthen their impact together.  

Shushufufu at Plant Forward 

ACTAsia’s annual Plant Forward campaign enthusiastically promotes plant-based living and increases awareness about sustainable consumption throughout Asia. This two-week festival plants the seeds of change through educating consumers about compassionate choices and changes they can make in their day-to-day life. Plant Forward is organised by ACTAsia’s Compassionate Choices Network (CCN) to promote collective action through education.

Last year, Shushufufu members participated in ACTAsia’s 10-Day Challenge during the Plant Forward 2023 Festival. This year, Shushufufu has continued the momentum, taking part in ACTAsia’s online bingo event. They also organised their own annual campaign, Veggie 30, to encourage people to try plant-based diets in a fun, supportive setting. During the Veggie 30 campaign, Shushufufu donated one Chinese Yuan to ACTAsia for every plant-based meal clocked in by their participants, summing to a sponsorship of over $2000 USD! 

Plant Forward is founded upon the communal action of ACTAsia’s Compassionate Choices Network (CCN), which is composed of 10 members from 9 Asian countries. Promoting action through education, the CCN works to advance sustainability, animal welfare, and social equality in Asia.

“I think the most amazing thing is that ACTAsia is not just doing one thing on its own”

“Organising meetings, making friends and forming good relationships, there is a lot of cooperation with ACTAsia, and I think that there is a lot to learn from that.” 

Organising mountain trekking for Plant Forward 2024

“Sustainable plant-based living can trigger us to coexist and flourish with the surrounding environment and life.”

“Sustainability is a One Health concept,” says Ms. Wu. “Plant-based diets are a wonderful thing. We promote and support them because, when living a sustainable lifestyle, you naturally want to care about others.” 

“I think everyone can ally with each other to make this beautiful thing bigger and then influence it.”

Ms. Wu’s story is a testament to the transformative potential of community in creating a compassionate future. Thank you, Ms. Wu and Shushufufu for your continued work and support! 

As we celebrate ACTAsia’s inspirational warriors and the impact of ACTAsia’s remarkable education programmes, we invite you to be part of our compassionate movement. Donate now to continue the momentum!