Chinese duo makes history with 'Nobel' in mathematics

As Chinese mathematicians Deng Yu and Wang Hong received the 2026 Fields Medal on Thursday, congratulatory messages poured in from individuals and institutions worldwide for the two scholars who became the first Chinese nationals to win the prestigious award, often referred to as the "Nobel Prize" of mathematics.

They shared the honor with John Pardon of the United States and Jacob Tsimerman of Canada at the opening ceremony of the International Congress of Mathematicians held in Philadelphia, the US.

Presented every four years by the International Mathematical Union, the Fields Medal recognizes mathematicians under the age of 40 for their outstanding contributions and is regarded as one of the discipline's highest honors.

Deng, 37, a professor at the University of Chicago, together with Ma Xiao and Zaher Hani, made a breakthrough on Hilbert's sixth problem by providing a rigorous mathematical connection between microscopic particle dynamics and macroscopic fluid equations.

Wang, 35, a tenured professor at the Institut des Hautes Etudes Scientifiques, or IHES, in France and a Silver Professor at New York University's Courant Institute School of Mathematics, Computing, and Data Science, resolved together with Joshua Zahl the three-dimensional Kakeya conjecture — a mathematical problem open for more than a century — using analyses and a geometric theory.

Both scholars started their mathematical studies at Peking University, where they enrolled in 2007. Wang earned her bachelor's degree there in 2011, before receiving her doctorate from MIT. Deng completed his undergraduate studies at MIT and earned his doctorate from Princeton University.

In an IHES release on Friday, Wang said: "I receive this distinction with great emotion and gratitude. I am grateful to have crossed paths with the right people at the right time, to have been guided toward the right research problems, and to have worked in environments where I could devote myself entirely to my research."

Wang noted that mathematics is a demanding discipline, and what sustained her was the collaboration with other scholars who shared her intuitions and doubts. "This medal reflects their work as much as mine," she added.

In an interview with Global People, a magazine managed by People's Daily, Deng said that he learned of his selection for the award via email in January while he was reading a novel.

He added that he somewhat expected the news and returned to reading the book after opening the email.

Reflecting on the growing global recognition of Chinese mathematicians, Deng said it was no accident, but the natural outcome of decades of sustained efforts, as China is gradually moving from being the follower to becoming the leader in the discipline.

French President Emmanuel Macron called Wang to congratulate her, saying the award is formal recognition of her outstanding research and a well-deserved honor.

Emmanuel Ullmo, IHES director, praised Wang's work on the Kakeya conjecture as a result that could reshape an entire field of research, adding that the institute is deeply proud that she chose to continue her research in France.

Peking University issued a statement on Thursday night celebrating the achievement as a source of pride and a new chapter for Chinese mathematicians.

Tian Gang, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and chair professor at Peking University, who witnessed the ceremony, told Beijing News that the achievement was enormously inspiring and demonstrated that Chinese mathematicians are fully capable of making original, world-leading contributions. He expressed hope for greater collaboration with overseas scholars in the future.

Renowned Chinese American mathematician Shing-Tung Yau, a Fields Medal laureate and dean of Tsinghua University's Qiuzhen College, called the news exciting for the Chinese people and a proud moment for Chinese mathematicians.

He commended the scholars' interdisciplinary achievements and expressed hope that the younger generation educated in China will achieve major breakthroughs on home soil, paving the way for the country to become a true powerhouse in mathematics.

"I hope that Chinese mathematicians will soon join the top ranks globally and lead the development trend of basic disciplines in the world," he told China Daily.

Zahl, who co-resolved the Kakeya conjecture with Wang and is now a chair professor at the Chern Institute of Mathematics at Nankai University in North China's Tianjin municipality, also witnessed the ceremony and shared his delight.

He said that Wang has completed highly valuable research and achieved a series of profound results.

On Chinese social media, the news quickly went viral and topped trending lists, with netizens expressing pride and excitement over the historic achievement.

Yan Dongjie in Tianjin contributed to this story.