In a significant development, renowned Japanese mathematician Kenji Fukaya has left his post in the United States to take up a full-time professorship at China’s prestigious Tsinghua University.
Fukaya, previously a permanent member of the Simons Centre for Geometry and Physics at Stony Brook University, delivered his inaugural lecture at Tsinghua on September 11th. His course on symplectic geometry attracted a large audience of students and faculty, as reported by the South China Morning Post. The university’s Yau Mathematical Sciences Centre, established by renowned Chinese-American mathematician Shing-Tung Yau, welcomed Fukaya to the institution.
Fukaya, now associated with both the Yau Mathematical Sciences Centre and the Beijing Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Applications, expressed his hope that the return of more China-born researchers to teach in the country would contribute to the development of a strong community of highly skilled, domestically educated mathematicians.
Fukaya’s contributions to mathematics have earned him global recognition. He initially focused on Riemannian geometry, but since the 1990s, his research has shifted towards symplectic geometry. His work has led to the creation of influential tools for fields such as low-dimensional topology and mirror symmetry, connecting various areas of mathematics and physics and offering insights into complex systems.
Fukaya’s move to China comes amidst escalating tensions between the United States, China, and Japan. Just days before his lecture, China released David Lin, a US pastor who had been imprisoned since 2006. This unexpected move was seen as a positive sign in the strained US-China relations. However, recent events have also highlighted the growing tensions. A Chinese aircraft carrier recently entered Japan’s contiguous waters for the first time, leading to strong objections from Japan.
Fukaya’s decision to join Tsinghua University adds another layer to the ongoing global competition for talent and influence in the field of mathematics. It also highlights the growing attractiveness of China as a destination for leading researchers, particularly in the STEM fields.
