Nation's voice at UN heard loud and clear

Status improved

Since the 1990s, the importance of the Chinese language at the UN has increased significantly, in tandem with China's enhanced national strength and influence. In 1998, the UN's Chinese-language website was launched.

Chinese-language staff members at the UN have witnessed a number of changes.

Hua, the translator, said China's understanding of the importance of the UN has gradually evolved with the nation's growing engagement in and familiarity with international affairs.

He said China has realized that the UN is a global platform for the nation to make itself heard, but in the early days, Chinese officials were restricted in taking charge of important affairs.

For example, the first Chinese under-secretary-general for political affairs at the UN was responsible for decolonization issues, as other posts were all occupied. However, as many colonized countries gained independence in the 1970s, there was little work to do, Hua said.

Currently, three of the 15 UN specialized agencies are headed by Chinese nationals.

Translators had to work on an increasing number of documents covering a range of topics. "My workload doubled from translating three pages a day to six pages," Hua said.

He traveled to many countries for work during his 28 years at the UN, where he said he felt that Chinese delegates were highly respected. "China's position in the UN is irreplaceable," Hua added.

His view is echoed by a veteran interpreter who asked to be named only as Xiao Hua.

She said that in the 1980s, statements by China were mainly confined to stating policies and China's participation at UN meetings was limited. Now, they attend almost every meeting on various issues, and Chinese experts are sent to technical meetings.

Xiao Hua, who took the training program at Beijing Foreign Studies University in 1983, worked in the interpretation section of the UN from 1984 to 2018.

She said China's active participation at the organization resulted in a heavy workload for interpreters, adding that the nation's growing influence at the UN has highlighted the need for accuracy to ensure nothing is lost in translation.

China's influence at the UN has increased in line with its role as the largest contributor of troops to peacekeeping operations among the permanent members of the Security Council. The nation is also the second-largest contributor to the overall UN budget.

Xiao Hua and her colleagues attended numerous meetings to discuss these two issues.

"With its increased engagement, China has a bigger stake in UN finance and peacekeeping operations. It is only natural for us to care about how the budget is spent, how peacekeeping missions are accomplished, and how the safety of our peacekeepers is guaranteed," she said.

China never misses a chance to speak on human rights issues, Xiao Hua said. In addition to the rights of women, young people and those with disabilities, the nation also addresses less-known issues, such as protecting the rights of albinos, she added.

As China puts forward more concepts and initiatives for global development, she said it is important for UN interpreters to spread the nation's voice to those who speak other languages.