Archive · 4 Sep 2026
Fields Medal Wins Ignite Debate Over Peking University’s Credit
Hong Wang and Deng Yu won one of mathematics’ most important awards.
Both had studied at Peking University, but neither currently works in China.
The university celebrated their success as partly connected to its own role.
Hong said she had felt discouraged while studying there.
She also said French teachers helped her continue pursuing mathematics.
Deng advised students to study abroad and choose where to work based on their goals and circumstances.
Some of his comments were removed from an interview shared by the university’s main social-media account.
The debate is about how much credit universities and countries should receive for achievements made by individuals.
Hong Wang and Deng Yu, two Chinese mathematicians, won this year’s Fields Medal while working outside China.
Peking University celebrated both mathematicians as alumni, including displaying their names on a campus pagoda.
Hong Wang said she had felt discouraged as an undergraduate and credited French teachers for supporting her mathematical return.
Deng Yu studied at Peking University for two years before completing his education at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Debate intensified after Peking University edited Deng’s interview, removing comments about overseas study and returning to China.
- Who
- Chinese mathematicians Hong Wang and Deng Yu, along with Peking University and Chinese students discussing their achievements.
- What
- Their Fields Medal victories have prompted debate over Peking University’s contribution, academic encouragement, overseas study, and national claims to success.
- When
- This year, when the Fields Medals were awarded; the article does not provide a specific date.
- Where
- The debate centers on Peking University in China, while Wang studied in France and Deng completed his education at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
- Why
- Hong’s criticism of her undergraduate experience and the editing of Deng’s comments about studying abroad challenged the university’s celebratory narrative.
University Credit and National Achievement
Individual Achievement and Academic Freedom
Who deserves credit?
University Credit and National Achievement
Peking University celebrated Wang and Deng as its alumni, suggesting the institution was part of their academic success.
Individual Achievement and Academic Freedom
Wang’s experience and career path led critics to question how much credit Peking University should claim, especially because she did not mention it in her acceptance speech.
Undergraduate environment
University Credit and National Achievement
Supporters of the university may point to its prestige and role in educating both medalists.
Individual Achievement and Academic Freedom
Hong said she felt inadequate and discouraged there, while supporters said her account reflected wider problems with pessimism and harsh academic expectations.
Studying abroad
University Credit and National Achievement
Some Chinese commentators criticize students who remain overseas for contributing to brain drain, while others question those who return and benefit from government measures.
Individual Achievement and Academic Freedom
Deng argued that overseas study broadens students’ perspectives and said people should choose where to work based on the environment best suited to their research and lives.
- Award
- The Fields Medal is awarded to mathematicians under 40.
- Hong Wang
- At 35, she became the third woman to win the award in its 90-year history.
- Deng Yu
- He is 37 and spent two years as an undergraduate at Peking University.
- Peking University’s response
- The university displayed the mathematicians’ names in neon lights on a campus pagoda.
- Hong’s path
- She transferred into Peking University’s mathematics department after initially studying in another department and later went to France.
- Deng’s advice
- He said students should spend a substantial period overseas and choose their long-term environment according to their research, lifestyle, and plans.
- Social debate
- The medals prompted discussion about discouragement in Chinese universities, overseas study, brain drain, and expectations of patriotism.