21世纪的强国将是那些民众密切关注并理解人类所面临之地区性及全球性挑战的国家。这些国家的民族英雄将是那些既有远见卓识,又能说服、动员政府和个人努力应对上述挑战的科学家。我对当初使自己成为应用数学家的选择仍然记忆犹新。我本想做一名历史学家,为此甚至进入了莫斯科外交学院,但有一天晚上,上床前我随手翻阅了祖父送 The power of the 21st century will be those countries that pay close attention and understand the regional and global challenges facing humankind. National heroes in these countries will be scientists who are far-sighted and persuasive in mobilizing the government and individuals in their efforts to meet these challenges. I still remember the original choice of becoming an application mathematician. I wanted to be a historian, for which I even went to Moscow Diplomatic Academy, but one night, before going to bed I readily read the grandfather sent