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)