The Translators Association of China delegation bid successfully
on August 3 to host the XVIII World Congress of the International
Federation of Translators (FIT) in Shanghai, in eastern China, in
2008.
All the FIT members attending the Statutory Congress voted for
China at the ongoing FIT World Congress held in Tampere, Finland on
August 2-7.
Huang Youyi, vice president and secretary-general of the Translators
Association of China, and Qiu Juliang, vice president of the
Science and Technology Translators' Association of the Chinese Academy
of Sciences, were reelected members of the XVII FIT
Council.
Huang Youyi was also elected vice president of FIT at the
meeting of the XVII FIT Council.
Founded in 1982, the Translators Association of China (TAC) is
the only national association in the field of translation in China,
functioning both as an academic society and a trade association. It
has now 54 member organizations. The FIT is a strictly
non-political organization of professional translators and enjoys
Category A status with UNESCO. It now has 115 members and holds its
World Congress every three years. The TAC joined the FIT in 1987,
becoming its largest member organization.
Since China's implementation of reform and opening-up policies
in the late 1970s, it has witnessed rapid development in the fields
of translation and interpretation. In order to adjust to changing
circumstances and to unite all translators and interpreters across
the country and enhance exchange and management within the trade,
the TAC changed its Chinese name earlier this year and began to
take in individual members.
The TAC's successful bid to host the 2008 FIT World Congress
reflects the recognition of its achievements by the FIT and the
international translators' community. "It is of great significance
in helping enhance the international status and influence of the
TAC and facilitating exchange and cooperation between it and
international organizations," said Huang Youyi, vice president and
secretary-general of the TAC.
The 2008 event will be the first grand gathering of world
translators and interpreters in China as well as in Asia.
Speech by Liu Xiliang, president of the Translators
Association of China
Dear President,
Dear Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
You have voted for our organization, the Translators Association
of China, to host the 18th FIT World Congress in 2008. We take it
as a sign of trust for our Association, and as your recognition of
the achievements of the Chinese translation profession. This is a
great encouragement for us. On behalf of the Translators
Association of China, I would like to express our sincere respect
to all member associations of FIT.
This coming congress in 2008 will be the first of its kind to be
held in Asia, the first time that translators across the world will
gather in China. We fully realize the heavy responsibility placed
upon us. We at TAC will, under the guidance of FIT, work hard and
try our best to make the coming congress a successful one and,
together with our colleagues in all parts of the world, push for
the growth and prosperity of the translation profession and thus
seek new paths for the progress of world culture. The notable
development of the Chinese translation profession and the support
of the Chinese translators for our noble cause give us confidence
to make this pledge here.
We all know that the 28th International Olympic Games will be
held in China in 2008. Prior to that, the 18th FIT World Congress
will take place in China, too. The world has given China repeated
opportunities, to which we in China shall respond with honor. TAC
and the entire Chinese translation community will welcome you and
fellow translators worldwide with open arms.
Let us meet in Shanghai, China in 2008!
(China.org.cn?August 4, 2005)
