This paper reviews Hua Loo-Keng's breakthrough in the research of functions of several complex variables, discusses the process of his winning the first prize of the 1956 Scientific Awards of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and analyzes the influence of the award on him. Hua Loo-Keng studied the theory of analytic functions and harmonic functions on classical domains of the theory of functions of several complex variables from 1949 to 1955. In his research, he mainly used the theory of group representation, matrix calculation and other skills to concretely and originally obtain some of the most fundamental and profound results of the theory of functions of several complex variables on classical domains. To follow the Soviet Union's practice, the Chinese Academy of Sciences set up scientific awards for all citizens on behalf of the state in 1955. Hua LooKeng's 16 papers were recommended to compete for the awards by the Institute of Mathematics, CAS. And Hua won the first prize of the 1956 Scientific Awards of the CAS in 1957 after a rigorous review process, which not only enhanced his academic and social reputation but also encouraged him to continue his mathematical research and cultivate young talents with more attention. Under his guidance and influence, the research on the theory of functions of several complex variables ushered in initial prosperity in China in the early and middle 1960s.

Hua Loo-Keng  /  theory of functions of several complex variables  /  classical domain  /  Chinese Academy of Sciences  /  scientific awards