A Scientific Conference Dedicated to the 1,800th Anniversary of Chinese Scholar Liu Hui Held at ANAS

On December 9, an international scientific conference titled “The Mathematical Harmony of Millennia: A Dialogue with the Universe” dedicated to the 1,800th anniversary of the renowned Chinese scholar Liu Hui was held at the Presidium of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS).

ANAS provided this information to AZERTAC.

Before the event, attendees viewed an exhibition showcasing Liu Hui's life and work.
Opening the conference, ANAS President Academician Isa Habibbeyli noted that Azerbaijan-China relations have developed in recent years and that President Ilham Aliyev and President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping attach great importance to bilateral relations.

Stating that strong political and economic ties exist between the two countries, Academician Isa Habibbeyli said that Azerbaijan supports China’s “Belt and Road” initiative. At the same time, China has taken a fair position on the opening of the Zangezur Corridor. He noted that with the opening of the Zangezur Corridor, Azerbaijan will serve as a bridge between Asia and Europe and facilitate China’s access to Europe.

The head of ANAS emphasized that even during the Soviet era, Azerbaijani poets wrote remarkable poems dedicated to Chinese leaders and the Great Wall of China, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Chinese poets also composed poems dedicated to Azerbaijan and the Caucasus Mountains. Noting that scientific and literary relations between Azerbaijan and China have also reached a high level in recent years, Academician Isa Habibbayli highlighted that ANAS closely cooperates with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the Hebei Academy of Social Sciences, the Hong Kong Korea Academy, Beijing Foreign Studies University, and Hebei Normal University, and has signed memorandums of cooperation with these institutions. He said Azerbaijani and Chinese scholars currently hold joint conferences and symposia and actively participate in conferences in both countries. Furthermore, Academician Isa Habibbeyli noted that a large delegation from China visited Azerbaijan for the 80th-anniversary meeting of ANAS, where the visiting scholars held productive meetings with Azerbaijani colleagues and researchers from many countries worldwide.

Emphasizing that the conference marked the 1,800th anniversary of Chinese scholar Liu Hui, the head of ANAS said Liu Hui’s research in mathematics and geometry laid the foundations of mathematical science worldwide and produced important scholarly works.

“Liu presented a proof of a theorem similar to the Pythagorean theorem. Liu Hui was not only one of the founders of mathematical science in China but also made unparalleled contributions to mathematics worldwide,” Academician Isa Habibbeyli said.

Academician Isa Habibbeyli stated that efforts had also begun to establish cooperative relations with the China Association for Science and Technology, one of the conference organizers, and noted that bilateral cooperation in the cultural sphere was also planned. He said the event dedicated to Liu Hui’s 1,800th anniversary would open new horizons in Azerbaijan-China scientific, literary, and cultural relations, and wished the conference success.

Speaking afterward, Ruan Cao, Director of the China Association for Science and Technology, said he was pleased to visit Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, and thanked Academician Isa Habibbeyli for his support in organizing the conference. Noting Azerbaijan's rich history and culture, Ruan Cao said the country serves as a bridge between Europe and Asia.

The director emphasized that Liu Hui lived and worked 1,800 years ago, and this period is regarded in Chinese history as an era of intellectual flourishing in science and culture. He noted that Liu Hui’s research represented a unity of theory and practice. In particular, Liu Hui made an important contribution in The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art by inscribing polygons in a circle to approximate the value of pi (π). In the same work, he also presented theorems in solid geometry, improved Archimedes’ approximation of π, and proposed a systematic method for solving systems of linear equations with multiple unknowns.

Mustafa Shabanov, a representative of the National Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan for UNESCO, noted that UNESCO included the commemoration of Liu Hui’s 1,800th anniversary in its 2024-2025 events program, reflecting the universal value of science and human thought.
Mustafa Shabanov said that when UNESCO adopted the decision, Azerbaijan expressed its support and solidarity with China. Noting that Azerbaijan has historically served as a scientific and cultural bridge between East and West, Mustafa Shabanov said that these traditions continue today.

He highlighted that Liu Hui’s mathematical methods continue to contribute to the development of mathematical science and thought, both in ancient times and today.

Following the speeches, a promotional video entitled “The Mathematical Harmony of Millennia: A Dialogue with the Universe – Liu Hui Anniversary Events Series” was presented.

The event then continued with a session entitled “Presentations on Intercivilizational Dialogue and Academic Exchanges.” During the session, speeches were delivered by Zou Dahai, lead researcher at the Institute for the History of Natural Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; Guo Shirong, professor at Inner Mongolia Normal University and corresponding member of the International Academy of the History of Science; Chen Wei, associate professor at the Institute for the History of Natural Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; Ali Babayev, PhD in Mathematics and head of department at the Institute of Mathematics and Mechanics; Professor Rovshan Aliyev, department head at Baku State University; Fariz Imranov, PhD in Mathematics, associate professor, and head of the Division of Digital Academy, Artificial Intelligence, and Electronic Academy of the ANAS Presidium Administration; and Roya Mirzabayova, researcher at the Institute of Oriental Studies of ANAS.