Chinese mathematicians Deng Yu and Wang Hong winning prestigious Fields Medal sets social media abuzz

Two former Peking University classmates now stand together on the world’s highest stage for mathematicians

The other recipients of the 2026 Fields Medals are American John Pardon and Canada's Jacob Tsimerman.

For the first time, two Chinese nationals have been awarded the prestigious Fields Medal for mathematics achievement – a win hailed across China as a milestone in the country’s bid to cement its role as a science and technology powerhouse.

Wang Hong and Deng Yu were named Thursday as among four laureates of the top prize, which is awarded every four years to outstanding mathematicians under 40 by the International Mathematical Union.