Dr Shih was born in Hong Kong in 1952 and was brought up in a housing estate in Kwun Tong in the 60s. Dr Shih emigrated to Canada in the early 80s.

Living overseas had enabled Dr Shih to experience how a democratic system would allow more fairness and justice in society, and safeguard its law and order. Dr Shih had a daughter born in Canada, who is mentally handicapped. Although Dr Shih and his wife had encountered a lot of hardship in looking after their daughter, they decided that in future that they would help the physically and mentally handicapped and other under-privileged groups in society to develop to the best of their abilities.

Dr Shih considers that there are too many pressing issues ahead in Hong Kong which require urgent resolution and he hopes to see greater unity and harmony in society, more mutual understanding and less confrontation.

Dr Shih is actively engaged in the work of various professional and public organizations. Among other memberships, he is currently Council Member, Hong Kong Medical Council; Council member, Hong Kong Down Syndrome Association; and Non-Official Member, Commission on Strategic Development.