Summary of Key Points
In July 2026, two Chinese mathematicians, Wang Hong and Deng Yu, were awarded the Fields Medal, the highest honor in mathematics. This marked the first time in the 90-year history of the award that winners have been from China, as well as the first instance in a single session where two Chinese mathematicians received the honor. They solved two long-standing problems in the field: the "Three-Dimensional Hanging Valley Conjecture" and Hilbert's Sixth Problem, which had stumped scholars for nearly a century. Their achievements are seen as a milestone in China's mathematics, representing a shift from following international leaders to competing with them and even taking the lead.
Both Wang Hong and Deng Yu graduated from Peking University's School of Mathematics, but their paths to success were quite different. Wang Hong, a girl from a small town, overcame challenges by changing her major; Deng Yu, a prodigious talent in math competitions, faced difficulties at one point in his career. Although their groundbreaking work was completed abroad, their undergraduate education at Peking University provided the fundamental foundation for their achievements.
This event not only demonstrates the strength of China's basic education system but also highlights shortcomings in the research environment at the graduate level, prompting discussion about how to cultivate top-tier talents independently.
The Fields Medal: Why the "Ultimate Honor" in Mathematics?
The Fields Medal is often compared to the Nobel Prize in mathematics combined with an Olympic gold medal. It is globally recognized as the highest academic honor, with strict age restrictions (awarded to individuals under 40 years old) and focuses on breakthroughs that change the direction of a field during one's most creative period.
- Rareness: The award is given every four years, with a maximum of four recipients per session, making it more difficult to win than the Nobel Prize (which is awarded at least once a year).
- Significance: Only two Chinese mathematicians have won the Fields Medal in the past century (Terence Tao and Shing-Tung Yau), but both were overseas-based. This year, Wang Hong and Deng Yu became the first Chinese recipients, filling a 90-year gap.
- Recognition of Pioneers: The award recognizes those who solve problems that no one else has been able to address, such as Wang Hong's Three-Dimensional Hanging Valley Conjecture (unsolved for 109 years) and Deng Yu's Hilbert's Sixth Problem (unsolved for 125 years). These achievements have the potential to revolutionize their respective fields.
The Achievements of the Two Winners
Here are the problems they solved, explained in simpler terms:
- Wang Hong: She tackled the question of "what is the smallest area that can be covered by moving an infinitely thin needle in three-dimensional space while pointing in all directions?" This problem was posed by a Japanese mathematician in 1917. While the two-dimensional case had been solved long ago, the three-dimensional version remained unsolved for nearly a century. Wang Hong's 127-page paper provided a definitive answer, which Tao Zhe-Xuan described as a once-in-a-century breakthrough.
- Deng Yu: He addressed a fundamental question in physics: why the motion of microscopic particles (such as water molecules) is reversible, while the motion of macroscopic fluids (like water flowing) is not. Deng Yu used pure mathematical methods to show that the behavior of macroscopic fluids can be derived from the interactions of microscopic particles, connecting these two different realms and revolutionizing the intersection of physics and mathematics.
Their Paths to Success
Despite starting from very different backgrounds, both Wang Hong and Deng Yu found a space for growth at Peking University:
- Wang Hong: Born in a small town in Guangxi, she overcame obstacles to study mathematics. She changed her major multiple times and spent hours in the library every day, believing that true thinking only occurs when her eyes are off the page. She later studied architecture in France before returning to mathematics because it allows for independent research.
- Deng Yu: A talented student who won an international math competition at 16, he was admitted to Peking University and later transferred to MIT for his doctoral studies. He faced challenges during his career but eventually made a breakthrough by revisiting problems from his undergraduate years in 2018.
Educational Insights
The success of Wang Hong and Deng Yu highlights the strengths and weaknesses of China's education system:
- Strengths: China's basic education and undergraduate programs have reached world-class standards, as demonstrated by their achievements at Peking University.
- Weaknesses: There is a gap in the research environment at the graduate level. Both researchers completed their key work abroad, where they had access to resources that allow for long-term, focused research.
The Significance of This Event
This award is more than just a historic milestone; it also raises important questions about China's mathematical community:
- For China: It marks a step towards becoming a "mathematical powerhouse," moving from being a major player in math competitions to a leader in scientific research.
- For young people: It shows that talent and persistence, along with a supportive environment, are more important than innate ability. Wang Hong's story inspires others to believe that they can overcome challenges.
- For the future: China needs to create an environment where talented individuals can pursue their passions without being constrained by rigid systems, allowing for the emergence of more groundbreaking researchers.
The applause on this night is a testament to their achievements and a reminder that while progress has been made, there is still much work to be done to build a stronger mathematical community in China.