SRIBD News

On October 30, 2023, the unveiling ceremony of the Liu Hui Laboratory was successfully held at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (CUHK-Shenzhen). Attendees included Zhang Ping, Director of the Academy of Mathematics and Systems Science at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and CAS Academician; Luo Zhiquan, Vice President of CUHK-Shenzhen and Foreign Member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering; Li Xuejin, Associate Vice President of CUHK-Shenzhen; Cai Xiaoqiang, Associate Vice President of CUHK-Shenzhen and Vice President of SRIBD; Huang Jianwei, Associate Vice President of CUHK-Shenzhen; Yuan Yaxiang, Director of the Liu Hui Laboratory and CAS Academician; and Ma Zhiming, Chairman of the Academic Committee of the Liu Hui Laboratory, Director of the Shenzhen International Center for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, and CAS Academician, among other university officials and distinguished guests.

The Liu Hui Laboratory (hereinafter referred to as "the Laboratory") is a collaborative initiative jointly established by CUHK-Shenzhen, SRIBD, and CAS. The Laboratory will have branches set up at each of the three institutions. Yuan Yaxiang, a CAS Academician, serves as the Director of the Laboratory, with Ma Zhiming, also a CAS Academician, as the Chairman of the Academic Committee. Professors Sun Ruoyu, Zhao Yunbin, and Liu Xin serve as the Deputy Directors. The Laboratory aims to bring together experts and scholars from the three parties to explore the application of mathematics in solving real-world problems. It will focus on core areas of mathematics research and promote the integration of mathematics with various disciplines, providing strong academic support and scientific evidence for addressing practical issues.

During the discussion and exchange session, the attending experts unanimously agreed that it is crucial to clearly define the development direction of the joint laboratory. Establishing clear research goals is essential to encourage researchers to engage in significant and impactful research work. Additionally, it is imperative to establish a robust joint training program for the laboratory. Each party should leverage its institutional strengths and mechanisms to nurture and cultivate a new generation of talents in the field of mathematics. Lastly, the experts emphasized that the Liu Hui Laboratory should strive to create an influential academic brand and promote the rapid development of new areas in applied mathematics.

The unveiling ceremony marked the official establishment of the Liu Hui Laboratory and built a stronger bridge for academic exchange and collaboration. The Laboratory will strive to drive innovation in mathematics and its applications, providing more scientific methods and pathways for solving real-world problems. The Laboratory is confident in meeting new challenges in the field of mathematics and applications, collectively contributing more to scientific research and social development.

Liu Hui (circa 225 – circa 295) was a Han Chinese mathematician from Zouping, Binzhou, Shandong Province, during the Wei and Jin periods. He is one of the founding figures of classical Chinese mathematical theory and made significant contributions to the history of Chinese mathematics. His masterpieces, "Commentary on the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art" and "The Sea Island Mathematical Manual," are among China's most valuable mathematical heritage.

Liu Hui was known for his quick thinking and flexible methods, advocating both reasoning and intuition. He was the earliest in China to propose using logical reasoning to demonstrate mathematical propositions. Liu Hui's life was dedicated to the rigorous pursuit of mathematics. Despite his low social status, he was a man of high moral integrity, not seeking fame or profit but driven by a relentless pursuit of knowledge. He left a precious legacy for the Chinese nation. In May 2021, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) approved the naming of lunar features near the Chang'e 5 landing site, with "Liu Hui" being one of the eight named features.