Zhi-Hong Sun's Conjecture 3.6 on two Apéry-like binomial sums

Theorem 1.1 claims the complete stated conjecture: both sums, every odd prime and modulus p squared. For inert primes, a finite differential invariant lifts Sun's mod-p result, with an autonomous singular treatment at p=5. For split primes, certified eta identities, a generic integral Hecke polynomial, an explicit degree bound and three CM matrix cases yield the result. An independently sourced coefficient congruence removes the degree-p boundary; p=3 is checked directly. The paper credits Sun's mod-p input, the Straub-Gorodetsky endpoint and Beukers's modular framework. It does not claim a uniform mod-p-cubed extension: at p=7 the two sums are 294 and 49 modulo 343. The full conjecture is claimed, but authoritative mathematical review is pending.

Theorem 1.1 claims the complete stated conjecture: both sums, every odd prime and modulus p squared. For inert primes, a finite differential invariant lifts Sun's mod-p result, with an autonomous singular treatment at p=5. For split primes, certified eta identities, a generic integral Hecke polynomial, an explicit degree bound and three CM matrix cases yield the result. An independently sourced coefficient congruence removes the degree-p boundary; p=3 is checked directly. The paper credits Sun's mod-p input, the Straub-Gorodetsky endpoint and Beukers's modular framework. It does not claim a uniform mod-p-cubed extension: at p=7 the two sums are 294 and 49 modulo 343. The full conjecture is claimed, but authoritative mathematical review is pending.