Xiaohui Liang

Dr. Liang Xiaohui

Currently serving as the Deputy Chief Economist of the China Textile Information Center and the Chief Researcher at the Office for Social Responsibility of the China National Textile and Apparel Council. He is also a guest researcher at the Institute of International Law, Peking University.

In 2003, he participated in the establishment of China’s first master’s program in human rights at Peking University and served as the program coordinator. This program was the first in China to introduce the course “Business and Human Rights” (Corporate Social Responsibility) at the university level.

In 2005, he joined the Social Responsibility Office of the China National Textile and Apparel Council, where he was responsible for the research, development, and promotion of China’s first social responsibility management system, CSC9000T, along with other supporting systems.

Since 2008, as a lead drafting expert, he has assisted various Chinese industry organizations in formulating sector-specific social responsibility guidelines, including:

• Guidelines on Social Responsibility for Chinese Industrial Enterprises and Industrial Associations (2008) by the China Federation of Industrial Economics

• Guidelines on Social Responsibility for China’s Foreign Contracting Engineering Industry (2009) by the China International Contractors Association

• Guidelines for Sustainable Development of the Chinese Tea Industry (2010) by the China Tea Marketing Association

• Guidelines on Social Responsibility for China’s Electronics Information Industry (2012) by the China Electronics Standardization Association

• Guidelines on Social Responsibility for Chinese Small and Medium Enterprises (2013) by the National Council for SMEs

• Guidelines on Social Responsibility for China’s Overseas Mining Investment Industry (2014) by the China Chamber of Commerce of Metals, Minerals & Chemicals Importers & Exporters

• Guidelines on Social Responsibility Management for Chinese Telecommunications Enterprises (2015-2016) by the China Association of Communications Enterprises

• Guidelines for the Sustainable Development of Natural Rubber (2014-2017) by the China Chamber of Commerce of Metals, Minerals & Chemicals Importers & Exporters

Additionally, as an industry expert from China, he has contributed to the drafting of several international documents focusing on responsible corporate conduct and sustainable development in global supply chains and overseas investments, including:

• Guidance on Responsible Business Practices in Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas (2009) by the United Nations Global Compact

• Children’s Rights and Business Principles (2012) by UNICEF

• Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains in the Garment and Footwear Sector (2014-2016) by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

Since 2006, Dr. Liang has been teaching the “Business and Human Rights” (Corporate Social Responsibility) course at Peking University Law School, making him one of the first scholars in China to introduce and teach this subject.

Dr. Liang is also a researcher at the Center for Enterprise Legal Affairs at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, a guest editorial board member of the Business and Human Rights Journal at the University of Cambridge, and a member of the Human Rights and Labour Working Group of the United Nations Global Compact.

In June 2016, Dr. Liang was recognized by the United Nations as one of the first “UN SDG Pioneers,” making him the only Chinese recipient of this prestigious honor.