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It is my honor, on behalf of the Chinese Mathematical Society
(CMS), to earnestly apply to you and through you to the Site Selecting
Committee of IMU for hosting the International Congress of Mathematicians
2002 in Beijing, China. This application has received broad support
not only from CMS members but also from the Chinese Government
and the institutions concerned.
In ancient China, brilliant achievements were made in mathematics.
In this century, modern mathematics has also witnessed fair spread
and healthy development in China. In this process, Prof. Loo-keng
Hua, Prof. S.S. Chern, and a number of prominent Chinese mathematicians
have made outstanding contributions. In the past decade or so,
special progress in research and education of mathematics has
been achieved, and academic exchanges were considerably increased
between Chinese mathematicians and their overseas counterparts.
Beijing is an education and research center of China, where many
high level universities and research institutions are located.
And it is in fact China's center of mathematics. We are convinced
that if ICM2002 is held in Beijing, it will be an impetus to
the development of mathematics in China, and there will be further
increase of academic exchanges and cooperation between the Chinese
and Asian mathematicians and their colleagues in other countries
and regions.
Beijing enjoys great advantages and has adequate facilities to
serve as the site for ICM2002. The city is now easily accessible
by major foreign cities through over 50 international air routes.
The venue of the congress will be the Beijing International Convention
Center, in the Asian Games Village, where the 11th Asian Games
were successfully organized in 1990 and the Fourth UN World Women's
Conference was held in 1995. Also, various large size international
conferences and symposia with thousands of participants, such
as the International Geological Congress and XIXth International
Congress of Entomology were held here. The center has good modern
facilities and adequate space for ICM2002 plenary sessions, workshops
and technical sessions.
Around the conference site there are quite a few hotels of different
categories for the delegates to choose from, ranging from expensive
luxury cones to the low-cost but comfortable ones. These hotels
are not far from the conference site, and with convenient transportation
connections. And the costs of accommodation are relatively low.
Beijing is a capital of ancient civilization, and there are many
well-known historical places for sightseeing. During the congress,
delegates may take tours to the Great Wall, the Forbidden City,
the Summer Palace and many other historical monuments. After the
congress, interested delegates many join tours to famous historical
and scenic spots, like Xi'an, Hangzhou, Shanghai, Guilin and many
others.
The CMS application has won active support from various institutions
in China, and the CMS will be able to raise enough funds for the
Congress. The Chinese Government has promised their financial
support to make up the possible deficit in the organization of
ICM2002 Beijing. The CMS will solicit donations from other sources
to cover partial travel and local expenses of some of the delegates
from developing countries such as former Eastern European countries
and countries in southeast Asia and Africa. The CMS will follow
the tradition of International Congress of Mathematicians to provide
support to over 120 young mathematicians, whom the IMU has chosen
to provide international travel support, for their local expenses
during ICM2002 Beijing.
All participants and their accompanying persons for ICM2002
Beijing, be they from any country or region, by China's present
visa issuing policy, can, where applicable, obtain a visa for
entry into China at the Chinese embassy or consulate-general once
they have a valid passport and a visa invitation from ICM2002
organizer.
By the way, we have discussed the matter of holding ICM2002
in Beijing with overseas mathematicians and mathematicians from
Hong Kong and Taiwan. The proposal has gained extensive support.
If our application has been approved, the local organizing committee
of ICM2002 will include representatives from Taiwan, Hong Kong
and some overseas Chinese mathematicians.
The Chinese Mathematical Society welcomes you and mathematicians
from all over the world to Beijing for cooperation, friendship,
and for the progress of mathematics.
Please, Sir, accept my highest salutation.
Yours sincerely,
K.C. Chang
Professor of Mathematics
President
Chinese Mathematical Society
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