The Translators Association of China delegation bid successfully on August 3 to host the XVIII World Congress of the International Federation of Translators (FIT) in Shanghai, in eastern China, in 2008.

All the FIT members attending the Statutory Congress voted for China at the ongoing FIT World Congress held in Tampere, Finland on August 2-7.

Huang Youyi, vice president and secretary-general of the Translators Association of China, and Qiu Juliang, vice president of the Science and Technology Translators' Association of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, were reelected members of the XVII FIT Council.

Huang Youyi was also elected vice president of FIT at the meeting of the XVII FIT Council.

Founded in 1982, the Translators Association of China (TAC) is the only national association in the field of translation in China, functioning both as an academic society and a trade association. It has now 54 member organizations. The FIT is a strictly non-political organization of professional translators and enjoys Category A status with UNESCO. It now has 115 members and holds its World Congress every three years. The TAC joined the FIT in 1987, becoming its largest member organization.

Since China's implementation of reform and opening-up policies in the late 1970s, it has witnessed rapid development in the fields of translation and interpretation. In order to adjust to changing circumstances and to unite all translators and interpreters across the country and enhance exchange and management within the trade, the TAC changed its Chinese name earlier this year and began to take in individual members.

The TAC's successful bid to host the 2008 FIT World Congress reflects the recognition of its achievements by the FIT and the international translators' community. "It is of great significance in helping enhance the international status and influence of the TAC and facilitating exchange and cooperation between it and international organizations," said Huang Youyi, vice president and secretary-general of the TAC.

The 2008 event will be the first grand gathering of world translators and interpreters in China as well as in Asia.

Speech by Liu Xiliang, president of the Translators Association of China

Dear President,
Dear Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

You have voted for our organization, the Translators Association of China, to host the 18th FIT World Congress in 2008. We take it as a sign of trust for our Association, and as your recognition of the achievements of the Chinese translation profession. This is a great encouragement for us. On behalf of the Translators Association of China, I would like to express our sincere respect to all member associations of FIT.

This coming congress in 2008 will be the first of its kind to be held in Asia, the first time that translators across the world will gather in China. We fully realize the heavy responsibility placed upon us. We at TAC will, under the guidance of FIT, work hard and try our best to make the coming congress a successful one and, together with our colleagues in all parts of the world, push for the growth and prosperity of the translation profession and thus seek new paths for the progress of world culture. The notable development of the Chinese translation profession and the support of the Chinese translators for our noble cause give us confidence to make this pledge here.

We all know that the 28th International Olympic Games will be held in China in 2008. Prior to that, the 18th FIT World Congress will take place in China, too. The world has given China repeated opportunities, to which we in China shall respond with honor. TAC and the entire Chinese translation community will welcome you and fellow translators worldwide with open arms.

Let us meet in Shanghai, China in 2008!

(China.org.cn August 4, 2005)