China's national test for translators and interpreters, which will be held on May 29 and 30,starts registration Monday, organizers announced in Beijing.

Launched jointly by the Ministry of Personnel and the China International Publishing Group (CIPG) in July 2003, the China Aptitude Test for Translators and Interpreters (CATTI), which is regarded as the most authoritative test of its kind in the country, will be held in 12 major cities, including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

The test is open to anyone, without limitations on age, educational background and work experience. People from overseas can also take the test as long as they are legally employed in China, according the Ministry of Personnel.

CATTI certificates fall into four grades. Still in a experimental period, this year's test only covers Grades II and III, or the intermediate and elementary levels, of English.

Tests of the advanced level, or Grade I, and other languages including French, Japanese, Russian, German, Spanish and Arabic will start in later years.

Currently, China has over 40,000 professional translators and interpreters.
 
(Xinhua News Agency March 16, 2004)