Beijing: The Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding (SHTAIU) in collaboration with the School of Arabic Studies at Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU), organized a conference on the reality and challenges of the translation movement between Arabic and Chinese.
According to Qatar News Agency, this conference represents an exceptional cultural milestone, as it is the first initiative of its kind in China focusing on Arabic-Chinese translation to be organized in China by a non-Chinese institution. This highlights the pioneering role of the award in consolidating its position as a global platform for dialogue and intercultural communication.
The opening session began with welcoming remarks by BFSU Vice President Prof. Liu Xinlu and SHTAIU's Media Officer Abdulrahman Al Marri where they emphasized that translation is not merely a transfer of words, but a civilizational bridge that brings nations closer. Speakers praised the initiative for strengthening international understanding and Arab-Chinese cultural relations.
During the first session of the conference, leading Chinese scholars highlighted the historical development and current challenges of Arabic-Chinese translation.
Speakers also touched on the translation of foundational Arabic religious and intellectual works, indicating that some of these translations were done through intermediary languages and noting the importance of promoting direct translation between Arabic and Chinese to ensure accuracy.
Meanwhile, other speakers addressed efforts to translate Chinese heritage into Arabic, pointing to linguistic and conceptual challenges, and calling for greater cultural engagement and academic rigor. The challenge of dual impact of artificial intelligence on the future of translation was also discussed.