Translating works into Arabic provides window into Chinese culture

Traditional Chinese medicine, history, technological innovations, and Chinese philosophy are the most searched topics on a China-themed encyclopedia platform among 22 Arabic-speaking countries and regions, according to a session about the achievements of the partnership between the Encyclopedia of China Publishing House and Lebanese publishing house Digital Future at the Beijing International Book Fair on Thursday.

Included in the list of achievements, excellent works, such as the Encyclopedia of China, Wu Jinglian's China's Economic Reform Process, and Lou Yulie's The Wisdom of China originally published by the Encyclopedia of China Publishing House, have been translated into Arabic and introduced to Arabic-speaking countries and regions through Digital Future, said Liu Zuochen, executive president of the Encyclopedia of China Publishing House, in his address.

The China-themed Arabic digital encyclopedia platform codeveloped by the two sides leverages ECPH's rich resources to select content that embodies Chinese characteristics, spirit, wisdom, and narratives and translates them into Arabic for localized operation.

The project has produced multimedia reading products in mobile and desktop versions, reaching 22 Arabic-speaking countries and providing readers with a direct, convenient, objective, and authoritative window into understanding China, he said.

Mohamad El Khatib, CEO of Digital Future, said the Belt and Road Initiative has urged the publishing company to provide an intuitive window for Arabic readers to grasp the depth of Chinese culture.

With the support and help of the ECPH, Digital Future has launched a searchable, interactive, and user-friendly China-themed digital encyclopedia, he said.

Since its launch, it has attracted thousands of Arabic readers from Morocco and the UAE to Egypt and Tunisia, including educators, students, researchers, and curious individuals, he said.

Data analysis from May to June shows the digital encyclopedia platform has garnered over 104,000 clicks, more than 2.68 million views, and reached over 5.66 million people. The 35-44-year-old demographic has the highest user percentage, and the most active users are primarily from Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Egypt and Tunisia.

Following their speeches, the two publishing houses signed a copyright agreement for the Arabic version of The Stories of Beijing Central Axis, which delves into the history, culture, and stories behind the 15 heritage sites along the World Heritage-listed Beijing Central Axis.