China maths genius opens first social media account, gains 23 million followers in 5 days

South China Morning Post

09-06-2025

Chinese mathematics prodigy Wei Dongyi has recently launched his first social media account, capturing widespread attention due to concerns about his appearance and dental health, while amassing an impressive 23 million followers in just five days.
The 33-year-old, originally from Shandong province in eastern China, serves as an assistant professor in the mathematics department at the esteemed Peking University.
Despite his remarkable achievements, Wei prefers a life centred on research and teaching; he admits that he does not enjoy spending time online and instead opts to listen to the radio.
He first gained national recognition in 2021 when a street interview depicted him in worn-out clothing, clutching a water bottle and a plastic bag containing three steamed buns.
Wei first captured national attention in 2021 when a street interview showed him in tattered clothes, holding a water bottle and a plastic bag with three steamed buns. Photo: Douyin
His exceptionally simple and austere lifestyle captivated social media users, who affectionately dubbed him 'God Wei.'