Wang Hong, a 35-year-old professor at the Institut des Hautes Études Scientifiques in France, has become the first Chinese recipient of the Fields Medal, often referred to as the Nobel Prize of Mathematics. His life story has generated significant interest in Chinese society.
According to local media reports on July 30, the Guangxi Daily, the official newspaper of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, sold out its July 25 issue featuring Wang on the front page. Speculators resold copies originally priced at 1.35 yuan for as much as 99 yuan.
After receiving a flood of inquiries about purchasing the newspaper, Guangxi Daily printed additional copies and began selling them online on July 28. The surge in demand caused the website to crash, prompting the newspaper to limit purchases to three copies per person.
While specific sales figures were not disclosed, the print run was approximately 250,000 copies. Chinese internet users have referred to the article as a 'modern-day Luoyang paper.'
The article's title, 'Wang's Conjecture,' has been praised for its simplicity and significance. It symbolizes Wang Hong's status in the mathematical community while also metaphorically representing his journey of relentless inquiry and self-doubt.
Critics noted that the article did not confine Wang to stereotypes of being a 'rural girl' or a woman, instead focusing on her academic journey and growth. It traced her path from a small village in Guilin, Guangxi, to one of the world's leading research institutions through interviews with her hometown residents, mentors, and acquaintances. The piece highlighted anecdotes, including how Wang's father sacrificed career advancement for his children's education and her experiences of being questioned during her middle school years.
Guangxi Daily explained on its official Weibo account that the article's popularity stems not only from Wang's prestigious award but also from its portrayal of a person who reached the finish line 'a little more slowly and with more time invested.'
The public's interest in Wang extends beyond her award. A recently released video of her acceptance speech has resonated with many young people in China. In it, she reflected on her undergraduate years at Peking University, admitting she felt 'discouraged,' which sparked discussions about the country's culture of academic pressure.
The Chinese media outlet 'Takan,' which focuses on social issues and women's rights, noted on July 27 that Wang Hong is emerging as a new role model for Chinese youth. Takan remarked that her use of the word 'discouraged' accurately names the pain many young people in China have felt but struggled to articulate.
Social media platforms like Weibo and Xiaohongshu have seen a surge of posts criticizing China's meritocratic culture, where poor grades can lead to a sense of worthlessness. Teachers have been accused of publicly belittling students, and there are criticisms that professors focus more on selection than teaching. Many exhausted Chinese youth, caught in relentless competition, have found a moment of reflection through Wang's candid admission of feeling 'discouraged.'
* This article has been translated by AI.
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