"There is still quite a distance for China to go to lead mathematical research worldwide," he added. "Also, compared with the academic rigor and achievement of Chinese mathematicians in the early 1960s such as Hua Luogeng, today's Chinese mathematicians still need to improve themselves."

Helping China to train more mathematicians is what Qiu has been doing. He founded the Mathematics Institution in the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Morningside Mathematics Center in Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Research Center of Mathematical Sciences of Zhejiang University. He also initiated the International Congress for Chinese Mathematicians, and set up the Morningside Mathematics Award, the highest ward for Chinese mathematics.

Qiu has also invited a large number of world-famous mathematicians and theoretical physicists to conduct research, to teach and to engage in academic exchanges in China.

As a university professor, Qiu has instructed 50 plus doctoral students, most of who are Chinese, and many have become internationally famous scholars or research leaders in Chinese research institutes and universities. He has also encouraged top overseas Chinese mathematicians to return to work in China. Liu is one such mathematician who returned to China under Qiu's influence.

Qiu is also a vocal critic of the Chinese education system. According to Qiu, one problem with the current university education system is that famous professors usually do not teach undergraduate students, leading to deterioration in the quality of undergraduate education.

Another flaw in China's academic system is in the academic evaluation system. The system is vulnerable to the influence of some authoritative academicians and to corruption. Qiu called for a more democratic academic environment to be created, which will make it easier for young talented intellectuals to get ahead.

Some scholars in China strongly disagree with Qiu's criticisms. They hold that because Qiu has spent a long time out of China, he does not understand the status quo of the country's academic community and is judging it by Western standards.

Qiu is not surprised by such disagreement from within China's academic system. "Good medicine tastes bitter," he said. "My greatest wish is to help China to be strong."