In a first, two Chinese scholars win the ‘Nobel Prize’ of mathematics – and China is thrilled

In a historic first, two Chinese mathematicians, Yu Deng and Hong Wang, have been awarded the prestigious Fields Medal, often referred to as the 'Nobel Prize' of mathematics. The International Mathematical Union announced the recipients on Thursday, July 23, 2026, during the opening ceremony of the International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM) in Philadelphia. This marks the first time Chinese nationals have received the esteemed honor, and also the first occasion that two mathematicians who completed their undergraduate studies in mainland China have shared the prize in the same year.

Deng, a professor at the University of Chicago, was recognized for his significant advancements in partial differential equations, including his rigorous derivation of the Boltzmann equation from hard-sphere dynamics, addressing a narrow formulation of Hilbert's Sixth Problem. Wang, a professor at New York University and France's Institut des Hautes Études Scientifiques, earned her medal for groundbreaking contributions to harmonic analysis and geometric measure theory, notably resolving the century-old three-dimensional Kakeya conjecture. She is also only the third woman in the 90-year history of the award to receive the Fields Medal.

The announcement has been met with widespread excitement and pride across China, with state media and social platforms celebrating the achievement as a major milestone for the country's scientific and technological ambitions. This dual victory is seen as a testament to the increasing strength and global impact of China's mathematical education and research. The other 2026 Fields Medal recipients include American mathematician John Pardon and Canadian mathematician Jacob Tsimerman.