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Science and technology have experienced extraordinary development
during this century that no human could have dreamed of in precious
times. It is generally acknowledged that this progress has relied
to a large extent on a key facet of basic research - mathematics.
Today, mathematics pervades almost all fields of knowledge: not
only in physics, chemistry and astronomy, but also in life sciences,
medicine, economics and environmental science. Mathematical methods
are widely used even in linguistics and art areas. Mathematics
has become more and more indispensable in the understanding and
control of nature and a highly complex society.
The unprecedented application of mathematics, however, is inseparable
from the advancement of the science of mathematics itself. The
numerous brilliant and profound results created by mathematicians
over the last one hundred years have brought us to a new golden
age of mathematics which is sure to have an enormous and positive
impact on human civilization. Therefore, the Government of the
People's Republic of China, recognizing the importance of mathematics
in today's world, will give all-out support for the successful
hosting in Beijing of the first ICM of the 21st century - the
2002 Congress.
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