Will China’s mathematicians join a global effort to boycott the United States?
Question hovers as world’s premier mathematics conference faces revolt over American visa rules and foreign policies
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In the world of mathematics, the United States is becoming an outlier.
The International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM) – the world’s most important mathematics conference and the venue for awarding the prestigious Fields Medal – is facing worldwide opposition because the US is hosting this year’s event in Philadelphia in July.
More than 2,300 mathematicians from at least 76 countries have signed an online petition to “move the 2026 ICM out of the US” and “commit not to participate in the ICM if it is to be held in the US”.
Advertisement“Just as many mathematicians objected to Russia’s hosting of ICM on the basis of its invasion of Ukraine, we argue that the current American government disqualifies the US from hosting the ICM in 2026,” according to the letter, referring to the Ukraine war that started in February 2022.
Among the reasons it cited were the US government’s abduction of former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, the wars in Gaza and against Iran, and its push to acquire Greenland.
Trump extends Iran ceasefire after claiming interception of ‘gift from China’
Trump extends Iran ceasefire after claiming interception of ‘gift from China’“We emphasise that the violence perpetrated internationally by the US government directly connects to the primary concern of safety and well-being of conference participants,” the letter said.
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