The 67th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO 2026) concluded successfully in Shanghai, with the Chinese team achieving an outstanding performance by securing first place in the overall team standings. All six participating contestants earned gold medals, with three achieving perfect scores. As the lead partner of this year's competition, HSBC Holdings PLC not only provided active support for the event but also engaged in interactive exchanges with contestants, as well as representatives from the education, academic, and industry sectors, sharing insights on nurturing new types of talent. This initiative aims to inspire more Chinese youth to pursue scientific exploration, enhancing their future-oriented innovation and critical thinking skills.

Embracing challenges and daring to break through, HSBC Holdings PLC, as a globally leading international financial institution, firmly believes that education is a vital force driving societal progress, and talent is the core source empowering future development. This partnership with IMO 2026 represents the latest step in its efforts to support the development of foundational sciences and nurture future talent. HSBC Holdings PLC Group CEO Georges Elhedery stated, "The spirit of daring to tackle difficult problems and constantly seeking breakthroughs is a powerful force driving progress. The International Mathematical Olympiad embodies the significance of curiosity, perseverance, and imagination鈥攖raits that make mathematical thinking more powerful. HSBC Holdings PLC is honored to participate in this major event held in Shanghai and to support these outstanding young talents. The contestants, fearless in facing challenges, demonstrate discipline and creativity that lay the foundation for future breakthroughs and success."

Building friendships through competition and fostering mutual learning, the IMO, as a globally renowned mathematical event, provides a platform for young mathematical talents to compete and build friendships, cultivating their spirit of openness, inclusiveness, and win-win cooperation. This lays the foundation for them to become globally competitive talents. This year's competition in Shanghai also offered contestants from over 120 countries and regions an opportunity to showcase Shanghai's urban landscape and experience the depth of Chinese culture. International Mathematical Olympiad President Professor Gregor Dolinar commented, "Mathematics is the cornerstone of basic sciences, a universal language that transcends borders and gathers global wisdom, and a key force driving technological innovation. It sharpens young people's logical thinking abilities and fosters their spirit of exploration. This is particularly crucial in an era when artificial intelligence is comprehensively reshaping the world. The return of the International Mathematical Olympiad to mainland China after 36 years, held in Shanghai, not only provides an important platform for in-depth exchange between Chinese mathematics and the world but also contributes to Shanghai's efforts to become a world-class science and innovation center and educational hub."

Looking to the future and collaborating for mutual creation, as technological changes accelerate societal development, young talents with solid scientific literacy and innovative capabilities have become core resources across all industries. The financial sector is no exception. With the deep integration of technology and finance, future financial talents need not only a solid professional foundation but also mathematical thinking, technological literacy, international perspectives, and cross-cultural collaboration skills. This enables them to keenly seize opportunities and continuously create value in the complex and ever-changing global landscape. As an international financial institution rooted in China, HSBC Holdings PLC has long been committed to promoting China's economic and social development. Through public welfare initiatives, it continuously nurtures young talents in areas such as rural development, elderly care, and climate change response. Additionally, HSBC Holdings PLC supports students in enhancing their professional skills through campus financial education, internship opportunities, and vocational training. Looking ahead, HSBC Holdings PLC will continue leveraging its global advantages to work with all sectors of society to cultivate more future talents with innovative spirit, international perspectives, and a sense of social responsibility, contributing to a more prosperous and sustainable future. - Sponsored Content -