Two Chinese Mathematicians Awarded Fields Medal

Wang Hong and Deng Yu, both Chinese nationals, have been awarded the Fields Medal, one of mathematics' highest honors, awarded every four years to mathematicians under 40.

The Laureates

Wang Hong, 35, is the third woman to win the award in its 90-year history. She was recognized for her work in harmonic analysis and geometric measure theory. Wang is a professor at New York University and the Institut des Hautes Études Scientifiques.

Deng Yu, 37, was recognized for progress on partial differential equations. He is a professor at the University of Chicago.

The other two laureates are from Canada and the United States.

Academic Background

Both mathematicians studied at Peking University before pursuing advanced degrees abroad:

• Deng Yu studied at MIT and Princeton
• Wang Hong studied at institutions in France and MIT

Reactions and Significance

The award was widely reported by Chinese state media and celebrated on social media, with commentators describing it as a milestone for Chinese mathematics and for women in STEM.

"I hope the two will return to China to teach," said mathematician Shing-Tung Yau, a China-born Fields Medalist.

In a notable gesture, French President Emmanuel Macron personally called Wang to congratulate her.

In an interview, Deng attributed the achievement to an accumulation of knowledge and experience in the Chinese mathematical community.

Broader Context

The Fields Medal is considered one of the highest honors in mathematics. Previous winners of Chinese ethnicity include Shing-Tung Yau (1982, holding a different citizenship) and Terence Tao (2006).

China has invested significantly in science and technology, aiming to become a global leader in basic and applied research. These awards are seen as a sign of progress toward that goal.