Comparison of Chinese and Japanese developments in mathematics during the late 19th and early 20th centuries (Q394183)

The present talk expounds the author's view on the comparative development of mathematics in China, Japan and the West from the last three centuries to the end of the twentieth century. First, a dry list, composed of seventy six names of Western mathematicians (with their dates of birth and death) is provided and proves by itself the Western supremacy in the matter. Then a short but meaningful presentation of the respective processes of Westernization in Japan and China is set out, the main difference between both being the direct approach of the Japanese (direct study of Japanese mathematicians in Western countries from the beginning of the Meiji era) versus the indirect approach of the Chinese (based on the one hand on the study with Western missionaries and translations rather than with great mathematicians and in contact with research and, on the other hand, on the sending of Chinese students to Japan at first; other factors such as corruption among Chinese elites during modern times are also propounded).