The Translators
Association of China (TAC)’s Fifth National Council Meeting
opened in the capital on Thursday. Former vice chairman of the
Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Huang
Hua attended the opening ceremony.
Also present were officials from China International Publishing
Group (CIPG) and the TAC, president of the International Federation
of Translators (FIT) Betty Cohen, the executive board of the FIT
and about 400 delegates from TAC local branches and translation
groups, including from Hong Kong and Macao.
Song Shusheng, president of the TAC, Huang Hua, and Cohen made
speeches at the opening ceremony.
“Since the fourth TAC national meeting in 1998, the country’s
translators and interpreters have done excellent work in practice,
research and teaching. We’ll discuss our experience accumulated in
the past five years and plan a better future for our profession,”
said Song.
Xu Jialu, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the NPC,
contributed a written speech to the ceremony: “The country, in a
golden period of its development, calls for the work of translators
and interpreters because our economy has been integrated into the
world economy. The tasks before translators are arduous. I hope
that you use your knowledge and enthusiasm to contribute more to
international communication and world peace.”
Ji Xianlin, a senior scholar of Oriental studies, sent a
congratulatory letter to the meeting: “Translation is indispensable
for development in China. Chinese translators have made great
achievements and progress in the field since 1978. Chinese
translators also help the country get involved in the international
community, and at the same time let the world know more on
China.”
Song also reported on the work of the TAC over the past five
years at the opening ceremony. The meeting will review the work
report and proposed revisions to the TAC’s statute. A new
leadership will also be elected. Model local associations and
individuals will be rewarded for their achievements in translation
too.
The TAC was founded in 1982 comprising nine academic committees
covering: social sciences, literature and art, science and
technology, military science, minority ethnic languages, foreign
relations, international communication, Chinese-to-foreign
languages translation, translation theories and translation
teaching, and translation services. It has 54 member groups
throughout the country.
The TAC joined the FIT in 1987. The Asian Translators’ Forum,
sponsored by the TAC, has been successfully held four times. The
First Asian Translators’ Forum was held in Beijing in 1995. The
Fourth Asian Translators’ Forum was held in Beijing again from
October 29 to 31.
(China.org.cn by Wu Nanlan, Chen Chao November 5, 2004)
