Beijijng, China: Last Thursday, Beijing hosted an academic seminar entitled “The Reality of the Translation Movement and Its Challenges between Arabic and Chinese” and “The Current Situation and Challenges Facing Chinese–Arabic Translation of Classical Works”.
The event brought together a distinguished group of Chinese and Arab academics and researchers, and was attended by a delegation from the Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding SHATIU, headed by Dr. Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Ahmari representatives of the Qatari Embassy in China, as well as a group of experts and academics from numerous Chinese universities, research institutions, and publishing houses, including Peking University, the University of International Business and Economics, Beijing Language and Culture University, Guangzhou University, Ningxia University, and BFSU itself. Participants exchanged views and ideas on issues of cultural exchange and translation between China and the Arab world.
The sessions were opened by Dr. Liu Xinlu, Vice President of Beijing Foreign Studies University, who stressed in his speech that China and the Arab world are two ancient civilizations that, over the centuries, have been bound by profound cultural ties which yielded major contributions to human history.
Professor Liu noted that the department has become an important platform for promoting cultural exchange and bringing peoples closer together.
He emphasized that translation is not merely a linguistic transfer, but a spiritual and intellectual bridge that brings the two worlds closer, deepening mutual understanding and shared inspiration.
He pointed out that classical works represent a cultural and intellectual heritage that requires the activation of new pathways for their translation, particularly in the era of artificial intelligence.
For his part, Abdulrahman Al-Marri, representative of the Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding (SHATIU), expressed his great appreciation for the importance of this seminar.
He explained that the award seeks to promote values of pluralism and openness, and to support dialogue and understanding among civilizations.
It has already become the most influential award in the field of translation in the Arab world. He also expressed hope that the seminar would be an opportunity to deepen cooperation between Chinese and Arab researchers in the fields of translation and culture, and voiced his aspiration to enhance exchange and collaboration with BFSU.
The seminar’s proceedings revolved around two main themes: “Translating and Presenting Chinese and Arab Classics” and “Translation and the Chinese and Arab Civilizations.” Researchers discussed the history, reality, and challenges of mutual translation of classical literary and cultural works from various perspectives.
They also explored the role of translation in supporting the development of education, intellectual exchange, and civilizational progress, through debates on issues such as teaching Arabic translation, Sino-Arab cultural exchange, and the role of educational support funds. More than one hundred professors and students of Arabic from several universities in Beijing took part.
It is noteworthy that the (SHATIU) was established in 2015 on the initiative of the Government of Qatar, and since then has become the most important translation award in the Arab world.
Its aim is to consolidate values of pluralism and openness, encourage knowledge and dialogue, enhance international understanding, and raise the level of mutual translation between Arabic and other languages.
The award also honors translators, cultural institutions, and publishing houses that have made outstanding contributions to promoting friendship and cooperation between Arab peoples and other nations.
Professor Xu Qingguo (Bassam) of BFSU was the first Chinese scholar to receive the award. The award committee has announced that in 2026, the prize will once again be granted to translators working in the field of Chinese-Arabic translation.
