China poised to become a mathematical powerhouse

China is set to become a global leader in mathematics within the next five to 10 years, reaching the pinnacle of international standards, said the acclaimed mathematician Shing-Tung Yau at the 10th Triennial International Congress of Chinese Mathematicians (ICCM) that kicked off in Shanghai on Saturday.

Yau, the first Chinese-born laureate of the Fields Medal, and the initiator of ICCM, founded in 1998, expressed confidence that within a decade, a large number of Chinese mathematicians are expected to receive prestigious awards from the International Mathematical Union and other top global honors.

The congress draws thousands of mathematicians, researchers, and academic professionals from various countries and regions, establishing a diverse and open platform for international scholarly exchange. Among the attendees are Fields Medalists, leading international mathematicians, young scholars, postdoctoral researchers and outstanding students.

Spanning five days, the event will feature more than 300 high-level academic presentations and discussions, covering topics in pure and applied mathematics, as well as interdisciplinary fields, such as artificial intelligence and biomedicine, with the aim of showcasing the latest advancements and emerging trends in mathematical research.

While delivering his remarks at the opening ceremony, Chen Jining, Party secretary of Shanghai, emphasized the city's commitment to spearheading scientific and technological innovation, and its efforts to enhance the overall efficiency of its innovation capabilities and to build an open and inclusive world-class innovation ecosystem, accelerating the development of an international science and technology innovation center.

Highlighting the crucial role that Chinese mathematicians play as advocates and practitioners of this open innovation ecosystem, Chen expressed hope for collaboration in exploring the frontiers of mathematical science, nurturing young mathematical talent, expanding international mathematical cooperation, and fostering an open and fair innovation environment to better serve people worldwide.

This year's congress is organized by the Shanghai Institute for Mathematics and Interdisciplinary Sciences and supported by the Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission and the Yangpu district government.