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Chief Secretary Carrie Lam
Mathematics is pivotal to the development and advancement of civilisations. Geometry provides us with the path to construct an ideal world. Number theory crystallises the human instinct to seek orders and natural laws. Algebra symbolises the structures of a vague world, making unknowns known. Combinatorics shows us the way to count and to count for favourable outcomes. These are all mathematics, and these are ideas which essentially guide our minds and thoughts to know ourselves, our society and our world.
Mathematics training can teach rationality, creativity and determination, which are virtues all dearly cherished by the people of Hong Kong. Rationality is the foundation of every respectful society. Here in Hong Kong, an international metropolis with over seven million people of diverse cultural, ethnic and educational backgrounds, you are bound to hear different voices representing different interests if you ask about views on any given issue. It is rationality that has enabled us to respect and resolve such differences, and find a consensus in the best interests of all.
While rationality underpins mutual respect and social harmony, creativity is the driving force behind progress. Hong Kong highly values original ideas, especially those from our younger generation. The people of this city have long been famous for their ingenious flexibility. We want the next generation to build on it further and let their creativity bloom. This is why we are actively promoting STEM education in schools.
Determination keeps us going in times of difficulties. The process of solving a mathematical problem, or any problem in life for that matter, can be rough and tough. Success only comes to those who persevere and stay in the game till the end. I would say Hong Kong people have been well trained in this regard. For a small place with so many geographical limitations to develop into a world city, people's determination to find solutions and succeed definitely has a key role to play.
Engaging students in actively applying mathematics in expertly designed activities or competitions helps nurture their mind. The Hang Lung Mathematics Awards emphasises mathematical insight, creativity and originality. The research projects of the participating teams, I understand, cover a broad range of areas. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Hang Lung Properties Limited and members of the Hang Lung Mathematics Awards for their dedication in promoting excellence in this discipline over the years. I would also like to thank all participating schools and teachers for their commitment and support to students learning mathematics.
Two years ago on this occasion, I talked about movies featuring mathematicians - John Nash in A Beautiful Mind and Alan Turing in The Imitation Game. Since then, a new movie has come out - The Man Who Knew Infinity featuring Professor Hardy and Professor Ramanujan from Trinity College, Cambridge. It is interesting to note that two distinguished mathematicians, Manjul Bhargava and Ken Ono, are associate producers of this movie. Bhargava, like Professor Shing-tung Yau, is of course a winner of the Fields Medal. This brings me to the point that apart from pursuing mathematical excellence and nurturing young talents, renowned mathematicians may also consider using various forms of creative industries, including movies, to promote the understanding of mathematics, to stimulate interest and to bring this highest form of pure thought into our ordinary lives.
Chief Secretary Carrie Lam gave these remarks at the 2016 Hang Lung Mathematics Awards Announcement & Awards Presentation on December 15.
