China is now suffering from a shortage of simultaneous interpreters, particularly those who can work for major international conferences or high-level international exchanges.

Presently, more than 95 percent of international conferences employ simultaneous interpretation, despite the fact that such interpreters worldwide number only more than 2,000, the source said.

China is particularly in short supply, as simultaneous interpreters nationwide total no more than 30, and are mainly in the big cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, the source added.

The Advanced Interpretation College under Shanghai Foreign Studies University has set up the departments of oral and written translation, as well as a research institute on translation.

The college will only enroll postgraduates for a term of two years, which will provide students with intensive training in various aspects of simultaneous interpretation.

Students who finish all training courses and pass the graduation examination will be certified by the concerned international authoritative organ to act as simultaneous interpreters for various international conferences or international exchanges, the source said.

(eastday.com April 28, 2003)