Peking University's immersive academic atmosphere played a pivotal role in laying the foundation for top mathematical achievements, said newly minted Fields Medal winner Deng Yu after becoming one of the first Chinese nationals to receive the discipline's highest honor.
Deng and fellow Chinese mathematician Wang Hong were awarded the Fields Medals at the opening ceremony of the 2026 International Congress of Mathematicians held in Philadelphia, the United States, on Thursday, marking the first time Chinese mathematicians have won the prestigious honor.
Reflecting on his journey, which saw him enter Peking University's School of Mathematical Sciences in 2007, Deng said that the scholarly environment at the university was instrumental to his development.
"During my time at Peking University, the overall academic culture and the atmosphere among my peers were exceptionally scholarly. There were some bookstores around campus, which were filled with academic works. These were all a great help. The two years I spent there helped me build a very solid foundation, which proved crucial for me," said Deng.
Beyond his own accomplishments, the mathematician stressed that China's broader commitment to fundamental science education is yielding clear results.
"Looking at the outcomes, it is obvious that China's progress in mathematics has gained strong momentum in recent years," Deng added.
The Fields Medal is a top international mathematics prize awarded every four years to two to four young researchers in recognition of their outstanding mathematical achievements in existing work and their promise of future achievement.
Fields Medal winner Deng Yu attributes success to Peking University's scholarly atmosphere
