Scholar hails China's math development

Hong Kong mathematician He Xuhua, who was recently elected vice-president of the International Mathematical Union, has hailed the first Chinese winners of the Fields Medal as a "historic breakthrough" for China and its mathematical development.

By being awarded the accolade — widely recognized as the Nobel Prize of mathematics — Chinese mathematicians Wang Hong and Deng Yu gave a major boost to Chinese mathematicians, especially young students, inspiring them to pursue research in the field, He said.

"I got up very early to wait in line and sat in the front row to witness history," said He, who attended the award ceremony in the United States, recalling the exciting moment during a recent interview.

The two mathematicians' work not only resolved core problems but also significantly advanced their respective fields, laying crucial foundations for theoretical progress and interdisciplinary applications, He said.

A year before they won the Fields Medal, He invited Wang and Deng to give lectures at The University of Hong Kong.

Wang's guest lecture in December 2025, which was open not only to university students and faculty but also to the wider public, drew an enthusiastic response, with participants overcrowding the venue, He said.

The arrival of another Fields Medal recipient, Vietnamese-French mathematician Ngo Bao Chau, at HKU in June also highlights the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's role as a leading international center for mathematics, particularly under the unique "one country, two systems" framework, He said.

He said intensified geopolitical tensions have at times hampered direct academic exchanges between Chinese mainland scholars and their US counterparts. Hong Kong, however, can benefit from "one country, two systems" to provide an effective alternative platform for international conferences and attract world-class scholars.

To further leverage this advantage, He has been working with the Hong Kong Mathematical Society and the American Mathematical Society to co-host a joint conference in Hong Kong in late 2028. The event would bring together leading Chinese and US mathematicians and young researchers, facilitating meaningful cross-border academic dialogue and collaboration.

The proposal is in line with the three-pronged vision He outlined after being elected vice-president of the union in July. At 47, He is the youngest person to hold the post in nearly two decades and the second Chinese mathematician to do so.

His priorities include supporting mathematical development in the Global South, nurturing young scholars by providing exchange opportunities and exploring the intersection of artificial intelligence and mathematics.

He shared his own experience of using AI's deep-learning capabilities to analyze complex mathematical data, which led to an unexpected and groundbreaking finding. But he also advocated a balanced approach to the use of AI in mathematical research.

"Most researchers use AI for polishing, and some for more important tasks like proofs. But whoever signs the paper must take full responsibility for its entire content," He said.

He also stressed the need for more flexible evaluation systems in Hong Kong that can accommodate "long-term" research in pure mathematics.

He cited Chinese-born American mathematician Zhang Yitang as an example, noting that Zhang's groundbreaking work on the twin prime conjecture came after years of relative obscurity.

He highlighted how the city's mathematics community has made rapid progress in recent years and expressed confidence that the city will further strengthen its position as a global hub for mathematical sciences.

At the same time, he urged institutions to have greater confidence in evaluating researchers, particularly those engaged in long-term fundamental research.

Above all, He said it is important to nurture curiosity — a trait he sees in the Fields Medal recipients and believes should be a cornerstone of mathematical education.

stacyshi@chinadailyhk.com