Speaking his language

Robert Kapp, former president of the US-China Business Council, notes that Mei's translation adds color to the book by revealing a vivid character.

Years of working as an interpretor means Mei thinks fast and talks briefly - even in daily conversation.

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A master of intercultural exchange, Mei holds that the key to translation is "the target audience".

She believes Zhu's book is suited to professionals and scholars.

"The Brookings is known for its studies on China. The fact its press decided to publish the book means US scholars who are watching China see its value," she says.

Mei was born to a Chinese-American family in New York. She was sent to live in Hong Kong to relieve asthma over winter from the age of 8.

In Hong Kong she learned fluent Cantonese, and her Mandarin improved as she played the card game Bridge, when she needed to communicate and to win the game.

Her interest in translating was triggered after reading Louis Cha's kung fu novels.

"When I started thinking about why his works are very hard to render into English, I learned that translation is not only about exact wording, it's about the ideas."

Mei holds a doctorate in history and East Asian studies from Harvard University. Before she started working as a consultant to businesses and politicians working across China and the US, she was a history teacher.

She started traveling to China on business in the 1980s, when Chinese business circles were still unfamiliar with words like "CEO".

Mei says she reads newspapers to keep herself updated on new words and phrases that have crept into the Chinese vocabulary as outside influences have a greater impact on the language.

She says working on the premier's book has given her a new appreciation for the things he achieved, explaining that Zhu Rongji Meets the Press details Zhu's work in diplomatic affairs, while the new book explores his role in domestic politics.

"Combining the two together, you get a full picture of Zhu at work. It's really hard to imagine that a premier is involved in so many things that require his cautious and detailed consideration, including even what kind of trees should be planted," Mei says.

"If I was to change the new releases title, I'd use, A Premier's Work Is Never Done," she says.

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