Professor of Pure Mathematics at Cambridge University John Coates said he is not only a mania for Chinese culture, but is also deeply impressed by Chinese students and universities.

Last summer, Professor Coates held a mathematics workshop at Zhejiang University which provided Chinese students as well as those from neighboring countries with a chance to gain ideas and stimulation from world's top mathematicians.

"The best students in China equal the world's best," Professor Coates told Xinhua. "Those students even solved the problems that I encountered in my research."

He admitted that to compare with the world's top universities, Chinese universities were still lagging behind in terms of mathematics research level.

Coates received the International Cooperation Award at this year's International Congress of Chinese Mathematics.

He said that three crucial elements for a university to do well in academic research: good students, good facilities such as good libraries, and good academic staff.

"Chinese universities have already possessed the first two conditions, which are even better than some world class universities. But there is still a lack of excellent academic staff in China, therefore, the recruitment of them should come to priority," he said.

However, he said, "such a condition is improving, I noticed in the past six or seven years, many outstanding Chinese mathematicians have been going back to China taking up teaching posts."

China has got numerous great mathematicians, who have done remarkable achievements in their own disciplines overseas. If more of them are coming back, Coates said, mathematics research in Chinese universities would catch up and attain to the world class level in about 10 years.

Talking about Chinese mathematicians who are influential to Chinese mathematics circle, Coates showed his full admiration for Professor of Mathematics at Harvard University Yau Shing-tung.

"Yau has indeed put a lot of effort in the work of mathematics research in China, there is no one like him in the world," said Coates.

Although Yau still allocated most of his time teaching in Harvard University and in the eyes of Coates, Yau's heart has always been closely affiliated with China.

As one of the founders of the Morningside Center of Mathematics in China, Yau has took charge of the whole process of the establishment, and from financial management to the design of the workshop and operation, Yau participated in every single item.

Exchanging ideas between mathematicians can promote inspiration and help facilitate each other's research work, which Coates thought was wonderful.

Mathematics is a beautiful and attractive subject, but it was never easy to solve a problem. Coates encouraged young people whose ambition is to become a great mathematician to prepare to work very hard.

Coates is planning to hold a series of workshops next year in China. "If a large number of outstanding mathematicians is gathering in China, I would be happy to look for a teaching position here," said Coates.
 
(Xinhua News Agency December 22, 2004)