Author Archives: GovWorldMag

A two-day conference opened in Chongqing on Nov. 25 to draw out various views on how to promote China’s discourse power internationally through enhanced translation of government documents.

“It is more necessary than ever for China to promote international communications, to tell its stories to the world and to build its own political discourse system with Chinese characteristics,” said Li Keyong, president of Sichuan International Studies University, during the third conference of its type.

It attracted more than 120 academics from across the nation to discuss how to create better translations of Chinese government documents.

“The translation of documents and the way of publicity have become two key aspects in building China’s discourse system in the international community,” Li added.

In his speech, Huang Youyi, a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and executive vice president of the Translators Association of China, said that, in the new phase of development, China was confronted by challenges in regard to translation of Chinese official documents.

“It is essential that China should interpret Chinese political philosophy, path and blueprint by itself,” Huang said. “the translation of Chinese government documents should target readers. On the one hand, the translation should focus on its original content; on the other hand, it should be readable.”

Huang noted that China should promote further study of its political discourse system so as to enhance discourse power in the international community.

According to Ming Guohui, party secretary of Sichuan International Studies University, in 2016, it established an Institute for international discourse studies, aiming at studying on the China’s political discourse system and cultivating students in a new academic discipline.

Li Keyong, president of Sichuan International Studies University, speaking at the conference. [Photo by Gao Zhan / China.org.cn]

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) convened a meeting of the Scientific Advisory Group (SAG) on Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) at its headquarters in Rome on November 24, 2017.

During the meeting, two Chinese sites – the Zhagana Farming, Forestry and Animal Husbandry Compound System in Gansu Province and the Huzhou Mulberry Dyke Fishpond System in Zhejiang Province – were formally designated as GIAHS sites.

Huzhou Mulberry Dyke Fishpond System in east China’s Zhejiang Province. [File photo: Chinanews.com]

Meanwhile, the four rice terrace areas in south and east China (in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Hunan, Fujian, and Jiangxi Provinces) and the Xiajin Ancient Mulberry Wood in Shandong Province were approved in principle, which means they require only an expert’s final confirmation before gaining official designation.

The four additions will bring China to a total of 15 GIAHS sites, the most of any country worldwide.

Launched by FAO in 2002, GIAHS are defined as “remarkable land use systems and landscapes which are rich in globally significant biological diversity evolving from the co-adaptation of a community with its environment and its needs and aspirations for sustainable development.”

“China’s agricultural heritage systems have effectively enhanced the livelihoods of the people in rural areas, bringing both ecological and economic benefits,” said Min Qingwen, member of the SAG.

Min added that these agricultural projects should be under the appropriate protection and effective application.