International mathematicians underlined the importance of the discipline to modern science development as they gathered at China’s prestigious Tsinghua University in Beijing for a series of seminars.

The four-day academic event, which started on April 22, is among the celebrations to mark the 90th anniversary of the establishment of the Department of Mathematical Sciences at Tsinghua University.

During the four days, over 100 mathematicians from China and overseas will join teachers and students from the university for a “math pageant.”

For Shing-Tung Yau, a celebrated international mathematics master, the top priority of the event is to enhance communication between China and the rest of the world.

“Through all these seminars, we hope to let international experts know more about the development of China’s mathematics, as well as help our mathematicians to learn from international friends,” said Yau, who is the director of Yau Mathematical Sciences Center, Tsinghua University. 

“Without a powerful mathematics, there’ll be no powerful science or technology,” he added. 

China has developed advanced mathematics since ancient times. The country is believed to be the first to use a decimal place value notation system - about a thousand years before any other civilization.

Excellent Chinese math and science education has outshone plenty of countries in recent years. Following a deal signed between HarperCollins in the UK and the Shanghai Century Publishing Group in March this year, Chinese primary school textbooks will be translated for use in Britain.

“Mathematics is very important as it’s the basis of science. Mathematics is developing very fast in China. I do have confidence in the future development of this subject in China,” said John Coates, a world-famous number theorist.