FENG Zengzhao

China University of Petroleum (Beijing)

Respectable President WU Xiaolin，尊敬的吳小林校長(zhǎng)

Respectable Vice-president JIN Yan，尊敬的金衍副校長(zhǎng)

Respectable Vice-president BAO Zhidong，尊敬的鮑志東副校長(zhǎng)

Respectable leaders of the Ministry of Education，尊敬的教育部的領(lǐng)導(dǎo)

Respectable leaders of the Ministry of Civil Af fairs，尊敬的民政部的領(lǐng)導(dǎo)

Respectable leaders of the China Scientif ic Association for Science and Technology，尊敬的中國(guó)科學(xué)技術(shù)協(xié)會(huì)的領(lǐng)導(dǎo)

Respectable Leaders of the Geological Society of China，尊敬的中國(guó)地質(zhì)學(xué)會(huì)的領(lǐng)導(dǎo)

Respectable Leaders of the Chinese Society for Miniralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry，尊敬的中國(guó)礦物巖石地球化學(xué)學(xué)會(huì)的領(lǐng)導(dǎo)

Respectable Leaders of the Paleontological Society of China，尊敬的中國(guó)古生物學(xué)會(huì)的領(lǐng)導(dǎo)Respectable Leaders of the China Petroleum Society，尊敬的中國(guó)石油學(xué)會(huì)的領(lǐng)導(dǎo)Respectable Leaders of the China Coal Society，尊敬的中國(guó)煤炭學(xué)會(huì)的領(lǐng)導(dǎo)Respectable Leaders of the Professional Committee of Sedimentary Geology of the Geological Society of China，and the Professional Committee of Sedimentology of the Chinese Society for Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry，尊敬的中國(guó)地質(zhì)學(xué)會(huì)沉積地質(zhì)專業(yè)委員會(huì)和中國(guó)礦物巖石地球化學(xué)學(xué)會(huì)沉積學(xué)專業(yè)委員會(huì)的領(lǐng)導(dǎo)

Respectable Leaders of the Professional Committee of Petroleum Geology of the China Petroleum Society,尊敬的中國(guó)石油學(xué)會(huì)石油地質(zhì)專業(yè)委員會(huì)的領(lǐng)導(dǎo)

Respectable Academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering，尊敬的中國(guó)科學(xué)院及中國(guó)工程院的院士們

Respectable members of the International Society of Palaeogeography，尊敬的國(guó)際古地理學(xué)會(huì)的會(huì)員們

Respectable teachers and students，尊敬的老師們和同學(xué)們

您們好！

A new star, the International Society of Palaeogeography, is slowly rising in the East of Earth, in Beijing, China.

For the rising of this new star, supported by the China University of Petroleum(Beijing) and helped by the leaders of the Party and State and 29 academicians, I and 86 Chinese and foreign specialists have strived more than 9 years for application and founding of the International Society of Palaeogeography. Today this Society has been founded. It is a great event in the domain of Chinese and international palaeogeography and geology.

Now, I will make a brief report of application and founding of the International Society of Palaeogeography to the leaders, gusts, academicians, members of the Society and all attendees of Congratulation Meeting of the Society.

1. A brief report of application and founding of the International Society of Palaeogeography

In May 8, 2013, as a professor of China University of Petroleum (Beijing), I wrote a letter to Chinese and foreign palaeogeographers and geologists and proposed to Chinese Government, first of all to the Ministry of Education for application and founding of International Association of Palaeogeographers（國(guó)際古地理學(xué)家協(xié)會(huì)）.

One month later, i.e. June 8, 2013, I received letters from 86 specialists who agreed with my proposition and signed their names in letters.

In the early August, 2013, the Ministry of Education indicated that the name of“International Society of Palaeogeography”（國(guó)際古地理學(xué)會(huì)） is more suitable than“International Association of Palaeogeographers”（國(guó)際古地理學(xué)家協(xié)會(huì)）.

We agree with this instruction from the Ministry of Education.

But, after August, 2013, in the process of application work, we encountered many

dif ficulties. Fortunately, the leaders of the Party and State, and many academicians gave us

a great support and help. Therefore, the International Society of Palaeogeography has been approved to founding eventually.

2. The founding of International Society of Palaeogeography is just conformed to the spirit of the speaking of General Secretary Xi Jinping

In September 12, 2019 and at the Forum of Scientists, General Secretary Xi said:“The International coopretion is a great tendency. …… It should be open and set up international organization in our country step by step. The foreign scientists can hold post in the organization of science and technology of our country, and promote our country as a broad platform of open and cooperation in science and technology worldwide.”

The International Society of Palaeogeography which we applicated to founding is just conformed to the spirit of the speaking by General Secretary Xi.

3. In summary

(1) The International Society of Palaeogeography has been approved by the Ministry ofCivil Af fairs. It is a success of our application during the period of more than 9 years.

(2) The International Society of Palaeogeography is a first international academic organization in Chinese geology. It is a great event in the geology of China and other countries worldwide.

(3) The great support and help by the leaders of our Party and State and 29 academicians are the most critical measures to overcome difficulties and gain successes during the period of our application.

It is that “a just cause gains great support”.

(4) I hope that the International Society of Palaeogeography will make great contributions to the development and innovation of palaeogeography and geology of China and other countries worldwide.

(5) Long live the International Society of Palaeogeography!

4. About myself

Confucius said: “A gentleman has 3 precepts.…… In old age, the body is feebler. He should be guarded against to get”.

Now, I am 96 years of age and my body is more feebler. I have a strong desire to do more things for the International Society of Palaeogeography, but my health does not allow me to do this. I should believe that I am old indeed. Therefore, I have decided not to be a candidate of the council member of the Society and will not join the council of the Society.I will retire after success.

However, as a member of the International Society of Palaeogeography, as long as I have one breath, I will be concerned with the growing of the Society and make some suggestions to it. I hope that the Society will be in youth permanently and go ahead actively.