International Eurasian Academy of Sciences, IEAS

Academician

Guanhua XU

Profile:

Elected Academician of the International Eurasian Academy of Sciences in 2008, Professor Guanhua Xu is a distinguished Chinese scientist in remote sensing and resource information whose research and professional work have focused on satellite digital image processing, integrated remote sensing survey and mapping, geographic information systems, and science and technology strategy. Born in December 1941 in Shanghai, he graduated from Beijing Institute of Forestry, now Beijing Forestry University, in 1963 and joined the Chinese Academy of Forestry. After teaching at Xi’an Geological Institute from 1971 to 1979, he studied satellite digital image processing at Stockholm University from 1979 to 1981 as one of the early state-sponsored scholars sent overseas after China’s reform and opening up. He subsequently served as Director of the Institute of Resource Information of the Chinese Academy of Forestry, Director of the Institute of Remote Sensing Applications of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. From 2001 to 2007, he served as Minister of Science and Technology, during which he participated in the formulation of the National Medium- and Long-Term Programme for Science and Technology Development (2006–2020). He later chaired the Education, Science, Culture, Health and Sports Committee of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and has served as Chairman of the Expert Advisory Group of the National Basic Research Programme (973 Programme). He is a Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, TWAS, and the International Academy of Astronautics, and a Foreign Member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences. He currently holds academic appointments at the Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

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Professor Xu’s research has centred on satellite digital image processing and the theory and methodology of integrated remote sensing survey and mapping. He developed methods for image classification, polygon generalisation, biomass estimation, and related remote-sensing applications, and established an early digital image processing system in China for satellite remote-sensing data used in resource surveys. He further developed a framework for integrated remote sensing survey and series mapping and led the formulation of technical regulations for the mapping of renewable resources. As leader of a national key project on the remote-sensing survey and monitoring of forests and other renewable resources in the Three-North Shelterbelt region, he led the development of large-area thematic mapping and a resource and environmental information system based on satellite imagery, enabling the production of series maps at 1:100,000 and 1:200,000 scales over extensive areas. These achievements received two National Science and Technology Progress Awards (Third Prize) and Ministry of Forestry awards. His subsequent work has focused increasingly on global change research and national scientific programme development, including leadership of expert groups for major national research programmes. Through sustained research, leadership of major scientific programmes, and service in science and technology policy, Professor Xu has contributed to the development of remote sensing and Earth observation in China and to the application of geographic information technologies in resource and environmental management.