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