Translation Symposium Builds Bridges for International Cultural Exchange

The Chinese Contemporary Works Translation Project aims to promote representative Chinese contemporary artworks to the world.

　　The opening ceremony of the 2016 Sino-Foreign Audiovisual Translation and Dubbing (SFATD) Cooperation Workshop & Symposium was held on June 11 at the fifth studio of Shanghai Film Museum.

　　This year\'s symposium will be attended by 55 heads of film festivals, film and television organizations, 60 dubbing experts from 30 countries, and institute heads, translators and dubbing professionals from China.

　　China\'s Vice-Minister of Culture, Ding Wei, told the opening that film and television works have an important role in transcending emotions and connecting different cultures.

　　He said high-level translation is crucial to drawing people from different countries closer and thus supporting cultural development.

　　China is a great cultural nation which has always been spreading stories about its history, culture, heritage and national spirit through its massive film and television networks, he added.

　　"Through original Chinese productions, audiences abroad can understand the real China and its culture, walk into the lives of common people to hear the Chinese story, and learn about Chinese society," Ding said.

　　The symposium was hailed by Dong Yunhu, member of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Standing Committee and director-general of the publicity department of CPC Shanghai Committee.

　　He said it was a precious opportunity for Shanghai\'s film and TV industry to learn from overseas colleagues about strengthening international exchange, and improving and upgrading the quality of Shanghai film and television translation as well as dubbing abilities.

　　Tian Jin, vice-director of the national media regulator, State Administration of Press and Publication, Radio, Film and Television, said that over 10,000 episodes of excellent Chinese TV series, films, animations and documentaries have been translated into over 20 languages.

　　He said they have been shown in over 100 countries and regions around the world since 2012 as part of several cooperation projects. These include the China-Africa Film and TV Cooperation Project, Contemporary Chinese Work Translation Project and The Silk Road Media Partnership Project.

　　Seven speakers from overseas and four speakers from China gave keynote speeches at the opening ceremony.

　　Hosted by the Ministry of Culture and the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT), this year\'s SFATD Cooperation Workshop & Symposium will be held from June 6 to 15 in Beijing and Shanghai.

　　It is an integral part of the Chinese Contemporary Works Translation Project and 2016 Shanghai International Film and TV Festival.

　　The Chinese Contemporary Works Translation Project aims to promote representative Chinese contemporary artworks to the world through funding translation, publication, talent exchange and platform building.

　　It will result in a series of outstanding Chinese film and TV productions reflecting China\'s reality, normal people’s lives and mainstream values being broadcast around the world.