TAC holds its annual conference in Beijing

The Translators Association of China (TAC) Conference 2019, themed “Translation in China—70 Years of Development,” was held in Beijing on November 9, 2019. More than 900 representatives from China’s central government agencies, provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions, Hong Kong and Taiwan, as well as large multinational corporations, universities, research institutes, industry organizations of more than 10 countries and regions in Asia, Europe, North America, and Latin America, attended the conference.

Guo Weimin, vice minister of the State Council Information Office (SCIO), pointed out in his speech that in the past 70 years, China's translation industry has always served the country's development and built a translation system with Chinese characteristics and industry standards and a bridge for Chinese and foreign communication. He emphasized that in the new era, the primary task of China's translation cause is to publicize Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and to spread Chinese thoughts, Chinese concepts, and Chinese propositions farther and wider. It is necessary to keep in mind the initial mission, keep up with the development and progress of the country, grasp the rhythm and pulse of the times, and give full play to the role of bridges in translation. We must persist in keeping the innovation and constantly improve the level of translation. It is necessary to strengthen cooperation and exchanges, achieve common development and progress, and make active efforts for China and the world to communicate and dialogue. 

Du Zhanyuan, president of China International Publishing Group (CIPG), pointed out in his speech that on the new journey of the new era, China's translation industry bears important responsibilities in connecting China and foreign countries and communicating with the world, and the challenges and opportunities are unprecedented. It is necessary to strengthen the top-level design and enhance the national service capabilities. It is necessary to strengthen the construction of the foreign discourse system and improve the quality of international communication. We must innovate technical means and build a new platform for translation. It is necessary to pay attention to personnel training and build a high-end translation team. He said that CIPG will continue to attach importance to and support the work of TAC and create favorable conditions for the development of the translation industry.

In his speech, TAC President Zhou Mingwei stressed that it is necessary to fully understand the situation and further enhance the sense of responsibility and urgency. We must seize the opportunities of the times and continue to inherit and innovate. It is necessary to promote the construction of industry associations and create a social environment that is more conducive to the development of the translation industry and a more standardized, harmonious and healthy industry ecology. He called on the industry to join hands and work together to share the important task, and create a new prospect for the translation industry in the new era.

In his speech, Kevin Quirk, president of the International Federation of Translators (FIT), said that the Chinese translation industry has witnessed 70 years of reform and development of New China and has made great achievements. In the future, FIT will closely exchange and cooperate with the Chinese translation community, share development achievements, and encourage TCA to play a greater and more active leading role in promoting peace and enhancing understanding. 

During the opening ceremony of the conference, five translators, namely Cao Du, Gu Jinpin, Lin Hongliang, Wang Nongsheng, and Wang Zhiliang, were awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award in Translation, the top honor conferred by the TAC, for their contributions to promoting translation and cultural exchanges between China and the world; and another 77 people won the honorary title of veteran translators.