Summary of Key Highlights
At the 2026 International Congress of Mathematicians, the Fields Medal (the "Nobel Prize" in mathematics) was awarded. Two of the four laureates, Wang Hong and Deng Yu, are alumni of Peking University's class of 2007, setting several historical records: for the first time, two mathematicians who received their undergraduate education in mainland China were both honored with this award. Wang Hong became the third female Fields Medalist in history. Each of them made significant contributions to solving long-standing mathematical problems—the Three-Dimensional Hanging Valley Conjecture (solved by Wang Hong) and Hilbert's Sixth Problem (solved by Deng Yu). This achievement not only highlights the strength of China's mathematics education system but also marks the rise of a community of Chinese mathematicians.
I. The "Historical Breakthrough" of this Fields Medal: Peking University Alumni Shine Together
The most surprising aspect of these awards is not the outcome (which had been anticipated), but the clustering of outstanding individuals:
- Two laureates with mainland Chinese undergraduate backgrounds: Previously, only Shing-Tung Yau and Terence Tao had won the Fields Medal; now, two more have done so, both from Peking University's class of 2007, one from Guangxi (Wang Hong) and the other from Shenzhen (Deng Yu).
- Wang Hong as a female laureate: Since its establishment in 1936, only two women have received the Fields Medal (Mirzakhani in 1998 and Venkatesh in 2022); Wang Hong is the third, breaking the stereotype that mathematics is a male-dominated field.
- Peking University's "exceptional class of 2007": This class produced not only the two Fields Medalists but also other outstanding scholars such as Sun Xin (professor at Peking University), Zhang Ruixiang (Berkeley), and Ou Yumeng (University of Pennsylvania). The supportive environment among peers played a crucial role in their success.
These achievements reflect a qualitative shift in China's mathematics education from focusing on exam preparation to fostering innovation—students are now capable of solving world-class problems.
II. Wang Hong: From Earth and Space Sciences to Mathematics, Solving the Century-Old Hanging Valley Conjecture
Wang Hong's story is one of perseverance:
- The courage to change majors: Born in 1991 in Pingle County, Guangxi, she entered Peking University's School of Earth and Space Sciences in 2007 but later switched to the Department of Mathematics. She joked, "There were so many talented students at Peking University that I almost forgot how solid my mathematics foundation actually was."
- A detour in architecture: While pursuing a master’s degree in France, she studied architecture for half a year but realized it was even more challenging than mathematics, prompting her to return to her passion.
- Solving a century-old problem: Together with her collaborators, she used the "scale induction method" to solve the Three-Dimensional Hanging Valley Conjecture. In simple terms, this problem asks how a needle can rotate in three-dimensional space to cover all directions in the shortest time. It had stumped mathematicians for over a hundred years, and her proof turned this seemingly impossible task into one that could be solved.
- Her approach to research: She admits to struggling but has learned to balance work and rest, engaging in activities like table tennis, fencing, and taekwondo when needed. Her advice for students is straightforward: "Just have a strong mental resilience and the determination to persist."
III. Deng Yu: IMO Gold Medalist, Cracking the Code to Hilbert's Sixth Problem
Deng Yu's journey is one of academic excellence:
- Starting with an IMO gold medal: Born in 1989 in Shenzhen, he won the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) in 2006 and joined Peking University’s Department of Mathematics in 2007. His mentors, Chen Tianquan and Liu Heping, provided him a solid foundation. He spent a week carefully reviewing an 85-page paper by Terence Tao's team, demonstrating his attention to detail.
- Tackling Hilbert's Sixth Problem: This problem was one of the 23 unsolved problems proposed by David Hilbert in 1900. Deng Yu and his collaborators solved part of it, establishing a connection between microscopic particle mechanics (e.g., molecular collisions) and macroscopic fluid dynamics (e.g., water flow and air movement).
- Inspiration from everyday life: During his postdoctoral research, he faced a breakthrough while walking, inspired by the idea of using polar coordinates to approach the problem.
- AI in research: He uses AI to search for information and generate ideas; for example, GPT once provided a simple proof that, although not generalizable, offered a new direction for his research. He believes that AI can help with details, but students must still think independently.
IV. The Other Two Laureates: Cross-Disciplinary Math Geniuses
The other two laureates also have remarkable stories:
- John Pardon: Fluent in Chinese, he can quote from the Analects of Confucius and has participated in Chinese language competitions, including one where he listened to a storytelling performance about Empress Tang. He solved the Three-Dimensional Hilbert-Smith Conjecture and is an accomplished cellist (two-time champion with the Princeton Symphony Orchestra).
- Jacob Zimerman: His interest in mathematics began with his grandfather’s bread-making machine puzzle: "How can three pieces of bread be baked evenly in a two-slot toaster?" This puzzle led to his love for mathematics, and later, he used trial and error to solve the Andrei Ol’te Conjecture in number theory.
V. The Implications: China's Mathematical Strength and Future
These awards are not coincidental but the result of long-term investment in education:
- Solid foundation: Both Wang Hong and Deng Yu completed their secondary and higher education in mainland China, with courses like Chen Tianquan’s mathematical analysis providing them a strong foundation.
- The power of peer support: The collaborative environment at Peking University's class of 2007 encouraged mutual growth; Sun Xin recalled regular discussion sessions, with Deng Yu being an active participant.
- Diverse paths to success: Wang Hong’s switch in majors and Deng Yu’s studies at MIT and Princeton show that there are multiple ways to succeed, and cross-disciplinary and international experiences can broaden perspectives.
- The rise of Chinese mathematicians: More than 20 Chinese researchers were invited to speak at the conference, with 14 being Peking University alumni or faculty members, indicating that China’s mathematics community is moving from following to leading global trends.
In the words of Professor Xia Zhihong: "This is a moment long-awaited by Chinese science—we are not only capable of nurturing outstanding students but also producing world-class results."
Conclusion
The stories of Wang Hong and Deng Yu demonstrate that mathematics is not an insurmountable challenge; it requires perseverance, passion, and a bit of luck. Their success is a testament to both their individual efforts and the effectiveness of China’s mathematics education system. In the future, we may see even more Chinese mathematicians taking center stage on the global stage.