Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the return of renowned mathematician Zhang Yitang to China, specifically to Sun Yat-sen University, after over 40 years abroad, highlighting the competitive nature of academic recruitment in China and Zhang's significant contributions to mathematics [2][3][4]. Group 1: Zhang Yitang's Academic Journey - Zhang Yitang, a prominent mathematician known for his work on the twin prime conjecture, has recently joined Sun Yat-sen University as the chief scientist of the newly established Hong Kong Advanced Institute [2][3]. - Prior to this, he was a tenured professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and had been contemplating a return to China for several years due to various international factors [3][4]. - His decision to join Sun Yat-sen University was somewhat unexpected, as he had other institutions lined up, but the university managed to secure his commitment at the last moment [4]. Group 2: Contributions to Mathematics - Zhang gained international recognition at the age of 58 for his groundbreaking paper "Bounded Gaps Between Primes," which provided significant progress on the twin prime conjecture [12][16]. - His research demonstrated the existence of infinitely many pairs of prime numbers with gaps smaller than 70 million, marking a historic advancement in number theory [11][12]. - This achievement was particularly notable as many experts had previously deemed the problem unsolvable, showcasing Zhang's unique approach and capabilities in mathematics [13][14]. Group 3: Personal Background and Philosophy - Born in 1955 in Shanghai, Zhang displayed exceptional mathematical talent from a young age, independently proving the Pythagorean theorem at the age of 10 [18][20]. - He faced significant challenges in his early career, including difficulties finding academic positions in the U.S. after completing his Ph.D., which led him to work in a restaurant temporarily [28][33]. - Zhang emphasizes the importance of passion for mathematics over material success, stating that he values the ability to continue his work in mathematics regardless of his circumstances [34].