Translation center to explore universal values

Renmin University of China announced the establishment of the Center for Translation and Study of World Literature in Beijing on Friday, the first of its kind in the country that aims to explore universal human values and the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind from the perspective of the translation and study of world literature.

The center will build three major platforms to promote the translation and study of foreign literature as well as cultural communication and exchanges.

In a speech at the opening ceremony, Lin Shangli, president of RUC, said that the universal human values proposed by President Xi Jinping are not only the core themes of literary works across different eras and nations, but also the foundational context for humanities and social sciences research in the era of globalization.

He said that for individuals literature is a spiritual sanctuary, and for a nation it's the foundation for its people's sense of belonging and identity.

"So literature is the most effective channel and medium for individuals and nations to connect deeply, express emotions and share worldviews. It is also the best way to convey genuine feelings," he said.

Establishing such a platform at RUC is immensely valuable, he said.

It better enables global literature to enter China and Chinese literature to reach the world, bringing more spiritual and cultural enrichment to society and contributing to the communication and construction of a world characterized by truth, goodness and beauty, he said.

In her speech, Zhu Baoxia, deputy publisher and secretary-general of China Daily, also emphasized the importance of the center's establishment.

"We need accurate translations and effective dissemination to help Chinese readers discover the latest great works from around the globe, and also to share China's newest outstanding works with the rest of the world," she said. "Therefore, it's important for writers, translators, scholars, publishers and media professionals to collaborate. "

The establishment of the center, which will facilitate mutual learning among civilizations, will inject new momentum into promoting the construction of a community with a shared future for humanity, she said.

Following the opening ceremony was a symposium on world literature and shared human values. Scholars, translators and writers shared their ideas about the roles of literature and translation in trans-cultural communication, and in a world which is going through a profound transformation due to the fast advancement of artificial intelligence and livestreaming platforms.

Diao Keli, dean of the English department at the School of Foreign Languages of RUC, said: "This is an era of great transformation. Many believe literature has been marginalized and is less needed than before. However, history shows that technological advancements actually enhance cultural dissemination, offering more freedom of choice. This has led to the emergence of more writers and diverse readers".

Literature will not disappear. It needs higher-quality works and insightful research. Humanity still needs literature for universal values, a sense of time, immersive feelings and deeper experiences and communication, he said.

"With the establishment of the center, we hope to translate and introduce outstanding works that reflect shared human values and develop literary theories and criticism that can elevate literary creativity," he said.