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Zhang Tong

An award-winning mathematician has called for Asia to set up its own maths union after Hong Kong lost out to Glasgow to host a top international meeting in the field.
Tsinghua University professor Shing‑Tung Yau, a member of the Hong Kong bid committee, made the call after he said the International Mathematical Union (IMU) awarded the hosting rights for the 2030 International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM) to the British city on Tuesday night.
“My colleagues and I are deeply regretful about the voting result,” Yau said on Wednesday.
“The voting power within the IMU is relatively entrenched. The European Mathematical Society, as a regional umbrella organisation representing Europe’s national mathematical societies, commands an overwhelming majority of votes, while Asian countries together hold less than a quarter of the total.”
Yau said Europe, North America, Africa and Latin America had regional bodies to coordinate and amplify group action.
“Asia urgently needs a similar organisation,” he said. “An Asian Mathematical Union would better represent the interests of mathematicians in the region, foster collaboration and exchange among them, and promote the coordinated advancement of mathematical sciences across Asia.”
The IMU has been contacted for comment.

Despite not winning the bid for the congress, Chinese mathematicians have been appointed to key IMU roles.
He Xuhua, a professor at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), was elected vice-president of the union, becoming only the second Chinese mathematician to hold this post and the youngest in nearly 20 years.
“This is not only a personal milestone but, more importantly, a reflection of how the global mathematical community recognises the vibrant growth of research in China,” He said, saying he was honoured to hold the position.
“I hope to actively champion open collaboration and academic exchange globally, bringing our mathematical achievements to the world stage while creating broader international opportunities for Chinese mathematicians.”
He is a leader in Lie theory, an area of mathematics that bridges geometry and algebra.
He was born in Chongqing in 1979 and is president of the Hong Kong Mathematical Society.
HKU president Xiang Zhang said He’s election “underscores the leading academic strength of Hong Kong and the nation on the global stage, while igniting the aspirations of young scholars. We trust this historic milestone will inspire a new generation of scientists to venture fearlessly into the unknown and reach new heights in global academia.”
According to Yau, Tsinghua University professor Shan Peng was also elected as the grants secretary of the IMU’s Commission for Developing Countries.
The commission seeks to narrow the global mathematical development gap and support capacity‑building in developing regions, particularly Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America.
Shan works on geometric representation theory.


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China

Field’s Medal winner Shing‑Tung Yau says the region should set up its own body to coordinate action


Field’s Medal winner Shing‑Tung Yau says the region should set up its own body to coordinate action.


Hong Kong loses 2030 maths congress to Glasgow. Does Asia need a stronger voice?

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Field’s Medal winner Shing‑Tung Yau says the region should set up its own body to coordinate action

Field’s Medal winner Shing‑Tung Yau says the region should set up its own body to coordinate action