When the International Federation of Translators (FIT), at its 17th World Congress in Tampere, Finland, last August, unanimously chose China's Shanghai to be the host city for its 18th World Congress in 2008, applause resounded through the auditorium, which was painted scarlet by the red handbooks distributed by the Chinese delegation and the crimson "Chinese knot" that adorned the lapels of each participant.

To prepare for the congress, the Translators Association of China (TAC) convened its Fifth National Secretary-generals' Conference in Shanghai today, attracting nearly 100 translators from across the nation to share advice or suggestions, and discuss ways to promote the sustained development of China's translation industry.

"Since its first meeting in Paris, France, in 1954, the FIT's triennial congress is like an 'Olympic' gathering for the world's translation community," Huang Youyi, the newly elected FIT vice president, told International Communications after the Tampere event. Huang is also vice president and secretary-general of TAC and head of the Chinese delegation.

As the largest member of FIT, "TAC has taken part in various non-governmental organization activities worldwide," Huang said. The Shanghai FIT World Congress, themed "Translation and Cultural Diversity," will offer FIT member organizations the opportunity to get acquainted with one another's work, and facilitate communication between different languages and cultures.

Addressing the Shanghai conference, Jiang Yonggang, TAC's executive vice secretary-general, said: "To host the 18th FIT World Congress is conducive to increasing TAC's prestige in the world and intensifying exchanges and cooperation between Chinese translators and their international colleagues."

Preparatory work is in full swing. A Chinese and English-version website of the congress have been set up, and TAC plans to launch a French website soon. According to Jiang, the congress logo will be unveiled at the closing ceremony of the China International Forum on Translation Industry, to be held in Shanghai from May 28 to 29.

While strengthening links with local translators' associations, TAC also collaborates closely with FIT and its member organizations. For example, together with Tsinghua University, TAC sponsored the Fourth FIT Asian Translators Forum in 2004, and sent delegations to attend a meeting to mark FIT's 50th anniversary in Paris in November 2003, and the 2005 annual meeting of the American Translators Association, Jiang said.

The Shanghai International Convention Center located by the Huangpu River will serve as the venue for the World Congress. "Beijing is to host the 2008 Summer Olympics, and Shanghai to host the 2010 World Expo. When the world gives China opportunities, China is prepared to pleasantly surprise the world in turn," said TAC's President Liu Xiliang, who is also a renowned Spanish translator.

(China.org.cn by staff reporter Shao Da, May 26, 2006)