Interpreter strives for right words to capture intent of great leaders

Kevin Lin has been the lead British government interpreter for conversations in Mandarin and English since the 1990s and translated discussions between Queen Elizabeth II and President Xi Jinping when China's president visited the United Kingdom in 2015.

Professional requirements and protocol mean he will never reveal the details of conversations involving global figures.

He says the art of interpreting is akin to playing a concert solo without rehearsals, and having to get every note right.