China-Laos translation project promotes mutual understanding

Sponsored by the Belt and Road Academy of the Beijing Language and Culture University, the "China-Laos Sinology Development and Publication Translation Academic Forum" was held online in Beijing on Nov 30, 2022. The online event will help people in China and Laos better understand and appreciate each other's cultures as well as building a platform for exchange and mutual learning, so that the best of Asian civilizations can be appreciated by more people around the world.

Liu Li, president of Beijing Language and Culture University said in his speech that China and Laos, as friendly neighbors connected by mountains and rivers, enjoy a high degree of mutual trust, sound mutually beneficial cooperation and friendly people-to-people exchanges. With abundant resources of sinologists, Beijing Language and Culture University will bring more excellent translation works of Chinese and Lao classics to readers of the two countries more efficiently.

Three classical Lao literature translated and compiled by Tianjin Publishing and Media group - Tamnan Khun Borom(the Legend of Khun Borom), The Life and Revolutionary Cause of Chairman Kaysone Phomvihane and Song Eoui Nong(Two-twin Sisters/ The Two Sisters)are the latest results of the two countries' cooperation in the field of literature translation.

"Translating classic literary works through mutual cooperation is an important part of people-to-people exchanges, especially including cultural exchanges, which is "a long-term process and can have profound influence, said Yang Hongjie, chairman of Tianjin Publishing and Media Group. "I believe that through these three works, Chinese readers will have a deeper understanding of the history and literature of Laos, which will play an important role in promoting cultural exchanges between the two countries."

The idea of translating Chinese and Lao classic works is an important channel for mutual understanding of the cultural differences between the two countries. Experts from China and Laos have high hopes and full confidence in the publishing cooperation between the two countries.

Liu Biwei, vice president of China Public Diplomacy Association said in his speech that books are a bridge to connect human culture and its influence can penetrate deep into people's heart and get close to people's daily lives. The success of translating three Lao literature provides a good reference model for the mutual translation of classics between China and other Asian countries. "This will help people in Asia better understand and appreciate each other's cultures as well as building a platform for exchange and mutual learning, so that the best of Asian civilizations can be appreciated by more people around the world."