The 2025 Taizhou Mathematics Carnival officially kicked off in the International Conference Hall of Taizhou University on the morning of March 13. Experts from the mathematics community across China, along with provincial and municipal leaders, gathered to inaugurate the series of themed events. Miao Weilun, Deputy Secretary of the Taizhou Municipal Party Committee; Lu Jin, Vice Chairman and First-level Inspector of the Zhejiang Association for Science and Technology; and Zhu Jian, Secretary of the CPC TU Committee, attended the ceremony and delivered speeches.

Mathematics Carnival officially begins

In his address, Zhu Jian highlighted that Taizhou is intensifying efforts to advance three major strategic initiatives this year, underscoring the foundational and applied role of mathematics. He hoped that the Mathematics Carnival would ignite young people’s passion for the subject and inject innovative energy into urban development. As Taizhou’s only master’s degree-granting institution, TU has prioritized mathematics and collaborated with the Taizhou Data Bureau to establish the Data Intelligence Research Institute, hence fostering industry-academia-research integration and nurturing digital talent. Recent achievements include a National First Prize in the China Undergraduate Mathematical Contest in Modeling and the growing popularity of its annual Mathematics Culture Festival. Zhu urged students to stay curious in exploring mathematical beauty, embrace interdisciplinary thinking to spark innovation, and ground their work in practice to serve local development.

Academician Tan Jianrong shares his insights

Tan Jianrong, a mechanical engineering expert and academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, emphasized the link between advanced manufacturing and foundational research during the opening ceremony. “Behind every corporate innovation lies the work of mathematicians—quantitative analysis and mathematical modeling which are indispensable,” he stated. Drawing from his academic journey, he encouraged students to master fundamentals with perseverance and build a robust knowledge base for future specialization. He also voiced aspirations for Taizhou’s enterprises to thrive and help bolster China’s transition from a manufacturing powerhouse to a global leader.

Event highlights

Co-hosted by TU, Taizhou Association for Science and Technology, Taizhou Education Bureau, Taizhou Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism, and Sports Bureau, and Zhejiang Mathematical Society, the carnival aims to popularize mathematics across Taizhou and beyond. Six interactive activities will bridge creativity and art, including “The Magic of Tessellation Experiment,” “Find π Day Challenge,” “Digital Life in Focus International Photography Exhibition,” “Meet the Math Masters Salon,” and “Mathematics+ Lecture Series.” Attendees—students, enthusiasts, and residents alike—can engage through hands-on experiments, games, exhibitions, and talks. The launch also featured openings for the photography exhibit and Alice’s Adventures in Mathland themed display, inviting all to discover the joy of mathematics.