Two Chinese mathematicians win prestigious Fields Medal for first time

In a historic first, two Chinese mathematicians, Yu Deng and Hong Wang, have been jointly awarded the Fields Medal, the highest honor in mathematics, often likened to the Nobel Prize. The International Mathematical Union (IMU) announced the recipients at the 2026 International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM) held in Philadelphia.

Deng, a professor at the University of Chicago, and Wang, affiliated with New York University and the Institut des Hautes Études Scientifiques (IHÉS) in France, are the first Chinese nationals to achieve this distinction. Their recognition marks a significant milestone for Chinese mathematics on the global stage.

This year's Fields Medals were also awarded to John Farden of Stony Brook University in the United States and Jacob Zimmermann of the University of Toronto in Canada. The Fields Medal is presented every four years to mathematicians under the age of 40 who have made exceptional contributions to the field.

Notably, Deng and Wang were classmates at Peking University, entering in 2007. Their shared academic journey culminates in this prestigious award, highlighting their exceptional talent and dedication to mathematical research. This marks the first time mathematicians educated primarily in mainland China have received the Fields Medal.