Fields Medal winner and foreign member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Andrei Okounkov believes that China has the potential to become a world leader in mathematics. The reason, he says, is the emphasis on basic sciences and strong support for technological innovation.

Okounkov praised Chinese progressive policiesthat create a favourable environment for young scientists and science enthusiasts. He said they make the country a "country of the future" for the development of mathematics and scientific knowledge in general.

CMG