The red curtain for the opening was gently pulled down, revealing the building nestled in the Port-opening Area of Shantou Small Park. The building welcomed its former owner, Shing-Tung Yau, a foreign academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Dean of Qiuzhen College, Tsinghua University. As he pushed open the wooden door and stepped inside for a visit, Yau's childhood memories of "home" came to life in vivid detail.
On November 19, the opening ceremony of the exhibition hall of Shing-Tung Yau's former residence was held in the Shunchang Historic District of the Port-opening Area of Shantou Small Park. Shing-Tung Yau himself attended the event and unveiled the plaque for the exhibition hall.
Within the exhibition hall, Yau's array of accomplishments in the realms of mathematical research and science education are proudly exhibited. Yau has been honored with a remarkable quintet of prestigious awards, namely the Fields Medal, aptly known as the "Nobel Prize in Mathematics", the MacArthur Fellowship, the Crafoord Prize, the Wolf Prize, and the Marcel Grossmann Award. As the sole mathematician to have garnered these five esteemed global scientific accolades, his achievements are unparalleled. The New York Times has bestowed upon him the title of the "undisputed Emperor of Mathematics," recognizing him as one of the most influential mathematicians of our time.
According to reports, Shing-Tung Yau was born on April 4, 1949, in Shantou, Guangdong Province, and relocated to Hong Kong with his family during his early years. This former residence of Shing-Tung Yau, situated at No. 24 Zhongnanli, Xinma Road (adjacent to the present No. 2 Zhongshan Road), was acquired by his mother in 1947 and comprises three and a half floors. In the 1990s, the vicinity of his former residence underwent urban renewal, leading to the establishment of the Zhi'nanli Residential Area. In 2024, the Shantou Municipal CPC Committee and Municipal Government dedicated the exhibition hall of Shing-Tung Yau's former residence at "Xingjie No. 10" in the Shunchang Historic District, in proximity to the Zhi'nanli Residential Area.
"Mom, I'm back."
As he entered the exhibition hall, Yau found himself reminiscing about a song he had heard earlier in the morning at the "Two Great Events" (the 22nd Teochew International Convention and the 10th World Chaoshan Entrepreneurs Convention). One of the lyrics echoed in his mind, "Mom, I'm back." With a hint of regret in his voice, he said, "The only sadness is that neither my mother nor my father is here to share this moment. But seeing this house, our former residence still evokes a surge of deep emotions within me."
During his childhood, Yau's mother frequently narrated the tale of life within this residence in Shantou. It was only now, upon beholding this house, that he gained a comprehensive appreciation of its architecture, a three-and-a-half-story building. With deep emotion, Yau remarked, "I didn't grasp this concept before, but now, after witnessing it, I truly do."
Upon entering the first floor of the exhibition hall, Yau was greeted by exhibits showcasing the accomplishments of his father, Chen-Ying Chiou, which triggered a flood of memories. Yau elaborated that despite the hardships of those times, his father steadfastly pursued his academic endeavors with dedication and worked tirelessly to educate his students, leaving a profound influence on him. With deep emotion, Yau remarked, "My father devoted immense effort to his students and academia. And my own efforts pale in comparison."
Unfortunately, at the age of 14, Yau lost his father to illness, leaving the immense responsibility of the family solely on the shoulders of his mother, Liang Ruolin. During that period, unable to afford the rent, the family relocated to the countryside and built a small house to scrape by. Amidst these trying circumstances, Liang Ruolin ensured that her children's education remained a priority, supplementing the family's income through embroidery, knitting sweaters, and other means.
When speaking about his mother, Yau often underscores the challenges she faced. He stated, "In addition to sustaining our daily lives, she inspired us to pursue our education and ensured we felt at ease, never placing the burdens of life on our shoulders. In my view, she is incredibly remarkable."
"Resolve to excel in two life pursuits"
Upon ascending the stairs, one will find a quotation from Yau on the wall of the second floor of the exhibition hall: "In my life, I resolve to excel in two pursuits. First, to conduct groundbreaking mathematical research. Second, to serve China's mathematical education and contribute to building China into a mathematical power."
Yau has indeed fulfilled these "two pursuits." He graduated early from the Department of Mathematics at the Chinese University of Hong Kong at just 20 years old and was exceptionally admitted as a graduate student at the University of California, Berkeley. Subsequently, he became a disciple of Shiing-shen Chern, a globally renowned mathematical master. At 27, he solved the famous mathematical problem, the "Calabi Conjecture," gaining overnight fame. At 33, he was awarded the Fields Medal, hailed as the "Nobel Prize in Mathematics," making him the first Chinese mathematician to receive this prestigious honor. Since then, Yau has garnered almost every major award in the field of mathematics.
For numerous years, Yau has been a pivotal figure in advancing mathematics in China and has shown great concern for the advancement of education in Shantou.
On the second floor of the exhibition hall, an authorization letter is prominently displayed, granting Shantou Jinshan Middle School permission to establish the "Yau Junior Class". In May 2023, Shantou Jinshan Middle School received the authorization and inaugurated the program, endeavoring to discover and nurture promising young talents in fundamental disciplines like mathematics, all under the mentorship of Yau.
"Upon revisiting Shantou, I have observed remarkable transformations and strides of progress compared to my earlier visits," reminisced Yau Shing-Tung. When he first returned to Shantou in 1994, the lifestyle here was still relatively impoverished, but now, the landscape has drastically changed. In recent times, Shantou has embarked on academic exploration, exemplified by the launch of the "Yau Junior Class" at Jinshan Middle School, which will have a far-reaching influence on students' future endeavors.
"I am not only intrigued by the junior class but also confident in its potential for success," stated Yau. He aspires to assist Shantou in nurturing a select group of exceptional talents in the future, an endeavor that falls within his realm of expertise.
"Find joy in the pursuit of knowledge"
To many, mathematics is perceived as a dull and challenging subject to master, but Yau finds it imbued with truth, goodness, and beauty.
When discussing how to foster interest in mathematics, Yau remarked that it is usually during middle school that students start to reveal their academic interests, as he did himself. He emphasized, "People's interests are as diverse as they are unique, and there are numerous ways to foster and develop these interests. Fostering such an interest necessitates patience, alongside commitment and investment of resources."
Yau illustrated his point using chess, noting that some individuals prefer Chinese chess, while others enjoy Go. Though both belong to the realm of board games, they provide distinct experiences. Playing chess daily against an elementary school student won't sharpen your skills, as their abilities are inherently constrained.
"Initially, you may possess only a glimmer of interest. As you steadfastly embark on your quest for discovery, the more you delve into it, the deeper your understanding grows and the more profound its significance resonates with you. Over time, you will genuinely nurture your authentic passions and interests," summarized Yau on the path to developing a true interest. He also penned a postcard to inspire students in Shantou: "Learn more, think more, and find joy in the pursuit of knowledge."
Before departing, Yau inscribed "Strive in Lingnan, Boost the City with Science and Technology" in Chinese in the guestbook of the exhibition hall, expressing his hope for Shantou's future development.
Photo & Text | GDToday reporter Wu Caiqian
Video | GDToday reporter Deng Yingheng
Editor | Liao Ying, Yu Lulu, Liu Lingzhi, James, Shen He
