World-renowned mathematician Yitang Zhang joins Sun Yat-sen University

Professor Yitang Zhang, a world-renowned mathematician, has returned to China and joined Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU) as a full-time faculty member at the Institute of Advanced Studies Hong Kong. He will reside and work in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

At the appointment ceremony held on the afternoon of June 27, the University Council Chair and the President of SYSU handed Professor Zhang the Letter of Appointment and presented him with the university emblem.

Professor Song Gao, President of SYSU, hands Professor Yitang Zhang the Letter of Appointment.

Dr. Kongjun Zhu, Chairman of the University Council, presents Professor Yitang Zhang with the university emblem.

Professor Yitang Zhang is a world-renowned mathematician. His breakthrough results show that there are infinitely many pairs of prime numbers that differ by less than 70 million. His proof is a landmark development in the quest to solve one of mathematics’ oldest problems, the twin primes conjecture. He has also made notable progress in solving the Landau–Siegel zeros conjecture, a key problem linked to the Riemann hypothesis.

Established in 2024, SYSU Institute of Advanced Studies Hong Kong is the first comprehensive research institution founded by a mainland Chinese university in Hong Kong, with applied mathematics designated as one of its top research priorities.