The Chinese Translation Achievements Exhibition, sponsored by the Translators Association of China (TAC) and the China International Publishing Group (CIPG), opened on Thursday at the Military Museum in Beijing.

State Council Information Office Minister Zhao Qizheng (SCIO), International Federation of Translators (FIT) President Betty Cohen and TAC President Song Shusheng were among those attending the opening ceremony before visiting the exhibition.

Also present were some of China's most renowned translators, including Cheng Zhenqiu, Shen Suru, Tu An, and Gao Mang.

In a speech at the opening, Zhao Qizheng said that translators facilitate the communication and coexistence of people around the globe, playing an important role in the development of human civilization.

Translation has been essential to China's development throughout its long history, noted Zhao, but has become particularly crucial in recent years.

"In particular, for China, translation is all the more important now because the country and the rest of the world have been coming closer and closer to each other since the reform and opening drive was launched over 20 years ago,” he said.

Because of its increasing importance, the translating and interpreting profession now needs integration and collaboration, according to Zhao. He encouraged TAC to take the lead in this movement.

"The exhibition is a good chance to let the public know more about the work of translators,” he added.

Displays center on the achievements of translators in international communication, foreign relations, military translation, publications, education and other areas. Exhibitors include publishing houses, professional organizations, international communication media, translation and related companies and international studies institutions.

The exhibition also features the work of translators speaking languages of Chinese minority ethnic groups, such as Tibetan.

Some of the items are being displayed to the public for the first time.

The Chinese Translation Achievements Exhibition is the first of its kind in China since the founding of the People’s Republic in 1949. It is also the first professional exhibition on translation in the world. 

(China.org.cn by Wu Nanlan and Chen Chao November 4, 2004)