China hosting ICM 2030 would inspire world-class math students: renowned mathematician

China's hosting of the 2030 International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM 2030), the world's largest mathematics conference, will help encourage more young students across the country devote themselves to the mathematics field, according to Shing-Tung Yau, a former prize winner at the prestigious event

Yau, who won the event's coveted Fields medal back in 1982, is now helping lead China's bid to host the ICM in 2030, aiming to inspire young students to take the lead in global math research.

In an interview with the China Global Television Network (CGTN), Yau, who is also a professor at China's acclaimed Tsinghua University, said that he has seen the country's efforts in cultivating talent paying off, as there has been a rise in world-class math students from China.

"China has trained their students far better now than before. We have almost, I would say, the world's best high school students and undergraduate students in mathematics. And they are able to study within China themselves. So a major event like ICM happening in China, especially in Beijing city, it will be great encouragement for them to develop their own way to learn how mathematicians should behave in China," he said.

China faces competition from both Japan and the UK who are also bidding to host the grand event. However, Yau is quite confident that his team will win the right to host the ICM competition.

With China seeking to pull out all the stops on developing homegrown talent, Yau also noted that many Chinese students have a passion for math, while the country has been investing more in basic science.

"We have about, each year, 3,000 young talents, I mentioned, these 12-year-old students all over the country. There are 3,000 young students of that age who show strong interest to come into mathematics. So after five years we are talking a large number of good students. So these are one of the major differences between us and England or Japan. And beyond that, the country is getting richer in investing into basic science," he said.

China hosting ICM 2030 would inspire world-class math students: renowned mathematician

China's top political advisor Wang Huning has met with delegates attending the 11th national congress of the Taoist Association of China, which was held on Monday and Tuesday in Beijing.

Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, stressed the importance of implementing the Party's basic policy on religious affairs, and of guiding followers and key figures of Taoism to contribute to the country's modernization drive.

Wang urged the association to exercise full and rigorous governance over the religion, intensify efforts to raise awareness of the rule of law, and foster an image of a Taoist community that is patriotic and devoted to the faith, maintains good conduct, abides by the law, and upholds Taoist precepts.

He encouraged the association to cultivate talent proficient in both canonical teachings and fine traditional Chinese culture, and to expand global exchange in Taoism.

At the national congress, the association adopted a revised charter, as well as a set of religious rules and regulations, and elected new leadership.

Top political advisor meets with Chinese Taoist delegates