The new hall, with a total floor space of 1,100 square meters (1,316 sqare yards), is divided into the preface hall, the mathematics history gallery, and areas highlighting modern mathematics, classic mathematics, interactive mathematics, and computer and mathematics applications.

The hall has 40 displays with pictures and essays, from which visitors can know about ancient Chinese mathematics memorabilia, world mathematics memorabilia before the 21st century, famous awards for mathematics and biographical notes of 50 world-famous mathematicians at home and abroad.

Meanwhile, visitors are able to interact with 49 items on display, more than half of the exhibits.

The project was conceived and promoted by Shiing-shen Chern, a world-famous Chinese-American mathematician, who was also honorary chairman of the 2002 International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM) in China.

More than 60 international experts on differential geometry became first batch of visitors on August 17. They have gathered in Tianjin to attend the Satellite Conference on Differential Geometry and Global Analysis, part of the 2002 ICM slated for August 20-28 in Beijing.

Sources said that the hall would be extended during a second phase project under consideration.

(Xinhua News Agency August 20, 2002)