Speech at the Opening Ceremony of the 40th Anniversary Commemorative Exhibition of the Founding of Grey System Theory

Dear former President Haiyan Hu, Secretary Yong'an Zheng, and President Zhongde Shan,

As well as all the teachers and students present, good afternoon!

At the invitation of Professor Sifeng Liu, I am very happy to join you today in the 40th anniversary of the founding of Grey System Theory.

The grey system theory has a deep relationship with Shanxi Province. In the early 1980s, Professor Julong Deng of Huazhong University of Science and Technology initiated the grey system theory. In 1984, the first national grey system academic conference was held in Taiyuan, Shanxi. At that time, nearly 100 experts and scholars from colleges and universities in 16 provinces, cities and districts, as well as the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and other units attended the meeting. Professor Julong Deng attended the conference and delivered a keynote speech. In 1986, two scholars, Wang Xuemeng and Luo Jianjun of Shanxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, wrote a set of grey system modeling  software using BASIC language, and published the book of Collection of Grey System Modeling Procedures. It should be said that this set of modeling software has played an important role in the promotion and application of grey system theory.

In April 2002, I was lucky to be admitted to Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and studied for a doctor's degree in management Science, supervised by Professor Sifeng Liu Sifeng. Professor Liu, the then dean of the College of Economics and Management, personally taught us courses such as "grey system theory" and "management front edge", which benefited us a lot. We applied the grey system theory to the analysis and research of the thesis and data processing. Later, I served as the mayor of Yuncheng City. In the process of organizing the formulation of the Economic and Social Development Plan of Yuncheng City, I used the grey system theory to analyze the relationship between economic and social development, and forecast the development trend of important economic indicators. At the same time, I also tried to deal with the contradictions encountered in the work with the thought of grey system theory, which has received good results.

In 2014, Mr. Jinming Zheng, the head of the Jiangsu reporter station of Guangming Daily, published a press release in Guangming Daily entitled "Professor Sifeng Liu of Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics was Selected into the Marie Curie fellowship of European Union"; In 2019, Xinhua News Agency, People's Daily and other mainstream media reported that German Chancellor Angela Merkel praised the original grey system theory of China in her speech at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, and praised the work of Professor Julong Deng, Professor Sifeng  Liu and other alumni of HUST "profoundly affected the world." Seeing these news, I felt happy in my heart, and more proud of my alma mater and the research team led by Professor Liu. They have worked hard in the field of grey system theory for 40 years. Faced with many difficulties, they never wavered and relaxed, and spread the kindling of the grey system theory around the world with the persistent belief of "a group of people, a whole lifetime and a unique persuit".

As a student, because of the different nature of my work, I can't "a unique persuit, a whole lifetime" , and achieve major achievements that have an impact on the world like Professor Liu. However, I can also love the work I undertake according to the instructions of my tutor. And do my best to make due contributions to the local economic and social development, cultural and legal construction and other different fields no matter where and when. I am worthy of the training of my alma mater. The "two-level demand model", "one-dimension dichotomy", "double and double fold principle" and other ideas and thinking methods formed by Professor Liu in the teaching process not only benefit us in our work, but also inspire us to be indifferent to our ideals, strive to create value and contribute to society. In particular, Professor Liu's words and deeds, rigorous scholarship and exemplary role model have set an example for us to keep our original intention and purpose in mind for decades.

I take this opportunity to sincerely wish that the grey system theory will continue to deepen and further develop under the efforts of the academic team led by Professor  Sifeng Liu! I wish that the NUAA, under the leadership of Secretary Yong'an Zheng and President Zhongde Shan, will prosper, prosper and reach a higher level. I also sincerely wish that the former President, Academician Haiyan Hu, and the teachers and students of NUAA work smoothly, have good health, make progress in their studies, and have all the best!

Thank you!

                                    Suping Hu

                                        Former Deputy Secretary of the Party Group and                                                                                     Deputy Director of the Standing Committee of Shanxi Provincial People's Congress