The transition from traditional mathematics to modern one in China started at the end of the 19th century. By the beginning of the 20th Century, with the diffusion of Western sciences in China and the return of overseas Chinese students, modern math-teaching and math-research had gradually developed, and some regional math societies also emerged.

Chinese Mathematical Society (CMS) held at Shanghai its inaugural and first annual conference in 1935. The establishment of the CMS and the publication of its journals are landmarks in modern math development in China. Unfortunately, in subsequent Anti-Japanese War (WWII) and the Civil War, CMS activities were forced to suspend, although a few scientists persisted in academic activities under very difficult conditions.

The development of modern math in China and that of the Society took off following the founding of the People’s Republic of China, when the Society revived its activities. Between August 15 and 20, 1951, the first national conference was held at Beijing University. Two more successive national conferences were held in Shanghai in February 1960 and in Chengdu in November 1978. Hua Luogeng (Hua Loo-keng) was the president of the first three terms of the new society. The exceptional achievements made by contemporary Chinese mathematicians include: Hua Luogeng: analytic number theory, typical group, multi-complex function theory; Wu Wenjun: algebraic topology—Wu class and the Wu formula, automated theorem proving; Feng Kang: computational mathematics—the finite element method; and Chen Jingrun: number theory—Goldbach conjecture.

During the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), the Society ceased its activities. Research by mathematicians was forced to suspend and Chinese mathematics ground to a halt.

Since 1977 especially after the reform and opening-up, modern Chinese math and the CMS met with a golden opportunity for development. Specialty and local branches were established, with the CMS working committees improved and optimized. Currently, the CMS is active in the following areas: national organization of academic exchanges; compilation and publication of mathematical journals; international academic exchanges; math contest, popularization and diffusion; promotion of math education reform; and organizing training classes or symposia in accordance with national needs and educational requirements.

This presentation is based on work co-authored by Gang Hou.