Hong Kong is competing to host the 2030 International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM), marking a pivotal moment in the global landscape of mathematical research. The bid, led by Fields Medalist and Tsinghua University professor Shing-Tung Yau, faces competition from Glasgow and Tokyo. The final decision will be announced at the International Mathematical Union’s (IMU) general assembly in New York on July 21.
The ICM is the foremost global event in the field, held every four years, attracting leading mathematicians worldwide. An IMU delegation conducted site visits to all three candidate cities in February, with Hong Kong garnering positive feedback, particularly for its immigration policies. Yau highlighted that Hong Kong stands out as one of the few places where visitors can enter without requiring a visa from most countries, a convenience that impressed the inspection team.
The Hong Kong Mathematical Society, supported by the Chinese Mathematical Society, formally launched the bid last year. The proposal emphasizes inclusivity, offering free on-campus accommodation at Hong Kong’s top universities for all registered participants, including those from developing countries and early-career researchers.
Yau and another academic supporter, Wong Wing-hung, described the bid as synchronizing with a broader shift in global mathematics. They pointed to the gradual erosion of American dominance in the field amid the rise of China, which has been nurturing a new generation of mathematicians while attracting international talent over the past two decades.
Reflecting on these changes, Yau recalled his early academic years in the United States in 1969, contrasting the open, global outlook at that time with recent years marked by the "America First" approach, which he said has driven many foreign scientists away from U.S. institutions. In contrast, he expressed aspiration that the ICM could serve as a platform signaling the ascendancy of Asian mathematics, positioning the region as a new center for leadership in the discipline.
At this year’s congress in Philadelphia, two mathematicians of Chinese origin, Wang Hong and Deng Yu, are widely expected to be strong candidates for the prestigious Fields Medal. Yau praised their work, noting Wang’s achievement in proving the three-dimensional Kakeya conjecture—a longstanding problem—and Deng’s breakthrough in deriving fluid dynamics from fundamental physical laws.
Despite the optimism, Yau voiced concerns about funding disparities within Chinese scientific research. He highlighted significant gaps where some researchers receive billions of yuan annually, while equally deserving individuals manage with far less. He also criticized the influence of academicians on decision-making processes, describing the requirement for purchasing audited opinions and suggesting that these individuals may not always be current on the latest developments.
Wong drew a contrast with the U.S. system, which he described as more institutionally robust and competitive—even Nobel laureates face funding rejections, which are accepted without controversy. Yau noted that in China, rejected projects by academicians can lead to significant disputes.
The outcome of the 2030 ICM host city decision will indicate more than just a venue—it will reflect the shifting dynamics and emerging centers of influence in the world of mathematical sciences.