A total of 303 senior Chinese translators were honored by the Translators Association of China (TAC) at a ceremony in Beijing on Thursday for their outstanding contributions to translation work.

This is the fifth time the association has granted awards to senior translators. The association aims to improve translation in China and promote exchanges between China and foreign countries.

The winners were awarded for their dedication to China's foreign publicity in 15 foreign languages, introducing China to the world and promoting friendship among countries.

China's translation industry aspires for more standardized translation services and a more efficient translator management, as the country's fast economic growth and increased international communication have fueled a billion-US-dollar translation market.

China's translation industry reaped 20 billion yuan (US$2.41 billion) in 2004, according to the TAC.
 
(Xinhua News Agency September 30, 2005)