The debate among Chinese mathematicians over whether to join a global boycott of the 2026 International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM) in Philadelphia has ignited discussions across China's top universities. This prestigious quadrennial event, often dubbed the 'World Cup of mathematics' for awarding the Fields Medals—the discipline's highest honor—faces unprecedented pressure from over 2,400 signatories from 76 countries urging relocation due to U.S. visa restrictions and geopolitical tensions.
At institutions like Tsinghua University and Peking University, faculty and researchers are weighing the event's value against risks posed by U.S. academic policies. These include tightened visa scrutiny for scholars from China, Iran, and Russia, as well as broader concerns over U.S. sanctions targeting Chinese scientific enterprises. The petition, launched by Haverford College's Tarik Aougab and University of Toronto's Ila Varma, argues that the U.S. government disqualifies itself as host through actions like military strikes on Iranian universities and inconsistent visa practices.
Historical Context of Sino-U.S. Math Collaboration
China's mathematics community has flourished through deep ties with U.S. institutions. Tsinghua's Yau Mathematical Sciences Center, led by Fields Medalist Shing-Tung Yau, exemplifies this, training generations of talent. Peking University's Beijing International Center for Mathematical Research (BICMR) hosts international postdocs, fostering exchanges that propelled Chinese mathematicians to global prominence—China boasts multiple Fields Medalists and dominates recent International Mathematical Olympiads (IMOs).
However, U.S. policies under recent administrations, including entity list designations for Huawei and other firms, have spilled into academia. Chinese scholars report visa denials and interrogations at U.S. borders, echoing experiences of Iranian colleagues whose universities were bombed. This has sparked questions at Chinese forums: does attending the ICM legitimize such barriers?
The Petition's Core Arguments and Chinese Signatories
The boycott petition highlights U.S. visa harassment, deportation risks, and foreign policy violence as threats to mathematicians' safety. It notes over 60 past ICM speakers and 73 former plenary lecturers among signatories, surpassing registered participants.
From China, a dozen have publicly signed, including Tsinghua's Quanling Deng and Debam Biswas, Peking's Kaveh Dastouri (Iranian postdoc), Ignacio Correa, Aritra Bhattacharya, and Caucher Birkar. Dastouri stated, "I hope the IMU will soon decide to move the congress to a safe country." Nanjing University's Huang Pengfei added that visa hurdles compromise ICM's openness.
The French Mathematical Society has boycotted, refusing a booth, while Cuba's math society endorsed the petition. Registration lags, signaling momentum.
Shing-Tung Yau's Stance: Attendance Over Boycott
Prominent Tsinghua professor Shing-Tung Yau, a 1982 Fields Medalist, rejects the boycott. He plans to send researchers to Philadelphia, criticizing U.S. 'double standards'—recalling the 2022 Russia relocation over Ukraine but reluctance here. "The most brilliant minds will think, ‘why not go to China? It is peaceful and does not discriminate,'" Yau said, touting Hong Kong's 2030 ICM bid and an Asian Mathematical Society center.
Yau emphasizes ICM's irreplaceable networking, warning politicization harms global math. His view resonates at elite Chinese labs, prioritizing career advancement via Fields Medal exposure.
Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash
U.S. Visa Policies and Chinese Scholars' Experiences
U.S. visa woes for Chinese mathematicians stem from national security reviews. Entity list sanctions bar collaborations with certain universities, while border screenings delay entries. Reports of Chinese professors denied visas or laptops confiscated mirror Iranian cases post-U.S. strikes.
At Fudan and Shanghai Jiao Tong Universities, faculty discuss alternatives like virtual participation or European venues. Stats show China produces 20% of global math papers, making its absence devastating for ICM's diversity.
Broader Implications for Chinese Higher Education
The debate underscores tensions in Sino-U.S. academic ties. China's universities, like Zhejiang and East China Normal, host growing math departments rivaling MIT. Boycott could accelerate decoupling, boosting domestic conferences like the Chinese Mathematical Society's annual meetings.
The American Mathematical Society defends Philadelphia's safety, but petition organizers counter with ICE data on detentions.
Potential Outcomes: Relocation or Boycott?
IMU has not relocated, but low registration pressures organizers. Alternatives: Canada, Europe, or Asia (Yau's Hong Kong push). A Chinese boycott could halve attendees, forcing change. Chinese societies remain neutral, monitoring visas.
Universities like USTC train IMO stars; exclusion risks talent drain to Europe.
Stakeholder Perspectives from Chinese Academia
Tsinghua debates: some prioritize Fields exposure, others equity. Peking's BICMR postdocs, facing dual risks (Iranian/Chinese origins), favor boycott. Fudan mathematicians cite 2022 precedents.
Surveys at math wechats show 40% leaning boycott if visas worsen, per informal polls.
Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash
Future of Global Math Collaboration
Beyond ICM, tensions affect exchanges. China invests in math hubs like Yau Center; U.S. risks isolation. Solutions: hybrid formats, neutral hosts.
Optimism persists—Yau envisions China leading inclusive math era. IMU updates stress inclusivity.
Actionable Insights for Chinese Math Students and Faculty
- Monitor U.S. visa ESTA changes for conferences.
- Explore European math events like ECM.
- Leverage domestic platforms like CMO for networking.
- Advocate via Chinese Math Society for policy responses.
As debates evolve, China's math prowess positions it centrally, potentially reshaping global dynamics.