On October 25, School of Foreign Studies (SFS) of CUEB held the signing and unveiling ceremony of the strategic cooperation framework agreement and the Translation Research and Practice Base at Tianlang Hall in Boyuan Building. Attendees included Zhang Yuanhang, vice president of Central Compilation and Translation Press (CCTP) and general manager of Translation Research and Practice Base with CCTB Translation Service (CCTBTS), Yan Xiaodong, head of the International Communication Center of CCTP, Meng Bo, CUEB’s Deputy Party Secretary, Yu Hongling, Party Secretary of the School of Foreign Studies, Liu Chongxiao, Deputy Party Secretary and the Dean of the School of Foreign Studies, and representatives of teachers and students. The meeting was chaired by Cai Dan, Deputy Party Secretary of School of Foreign Studies.

Meng Bo extended a warm welcome to Zhang Yuanhang and his team, and expressed sincere gratitude on behalf of CUEB for the strong support from CCTP. He highlighted that CCTBTS boasts a strong reputation and capabilities in the field, thanks to the strength of Central Compilation and Translation Bureau and resources of CCTP. SFS has expertise in training translation personnel. This collaboration aligns with the national development strategy, strengthens partnership and mutual development. It is hoped that both parties would engage in further cooperation, including the development of foreign language disciplines, teachers’ translation research, students’ training and internships, as well as Party building. Furthermore, we intended to foster more high-level translation personnel with both integrity and skills by maximizing the advantages of both sides.

Zhang Yuanhang introduced the development history, major business, and achievements of CCTP and CCTBTS. He mentioned that CCTP functions as a central-level social sciences press under the Institute of Party History and Literature, CPC Central Committee, ranking among the top 100 publishing institutes in China. Throughout the years, the CCTP has successfully undertaken numerous significant publishing tasks, with a substantial portion of them selected for inclusion in the 14th Five-Year National Key Publishing Plan and the National Publication Foundation. Established in 1992, the CCTBTS formerly operated as the Translation Service Department of the Central Compilation and Translation Bureau and now operates as an independent subsidiary under the publishing house. With a highly skilled and multilingual team of experts, it is responsible for providing foreign language translation services to various ministries and commissions, public institutions, and domestic and foreign enterprises. Zhang expressed that CCTBTS shall engage in further cooperation with SFS in various aspects, including translation research and practice. Therefore, two parties can contribute to the advancement of translation cause, facilitate cultural exchange between China and foreign countries, and enhance our international communication capabilities.

Then, Meng Bo and Zhang Yuanhang jointly inaugurated the Translation Research and Practice Base. To solidify the partnership, Zhang Yuanhang and Liu Chongxiao, on behalf of both parties, signed the strategic cooperation framework agreement. This agreement outlines the intention for extensive collaboration in various areas, including translation research and personnel training.

During the meeting, the attending representatives also had in-depth exchanges. Zhao Haiyong and Luan Ting, Assistants to the Dean of SFS, Suo Xuxiang and Li Tenglong, Deputy Directors of the MTI Education Center, Liu Li, Head of the English Department, Liu Xin, Party Branch Secretary of the English Department, Du Juan, Party Branch Secretary of the Department of Eurasian Languages, and other faculty members shared their ideas and suggestions for cooperation. The topics covered a wide range, including the development of foreign languages disciplines, application, and construction of DTI (Doctor of Translation and Interpreting) program, curriculum development, translator training, translation technology research and practice, and Party building initiatives.

Cai Dan presided over the meeting

After the meeting, Zhang was invited to share his understandings of Marxist classic works with the representatives of active members and applicants for Party membership in SFS. He used the translation, publication, and transmission of    T  he   Communist Manifesto  as a starting point, guiding the students to consider and learn about what the original aspiration and mission of being a Party member, and how to take on the mission and responsibility given by the times through practical actions. Besides, Zhang recommended three classics: The Communist Manifesto, Socialism Utopian and Scientific, and The State and Revolution.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the School of Foreign Studies. The school is working to apply for a DTI program. The successful ceremony will provide a broader platform for the school to cultivate higher quality professional translators and maximize their language advantages to serve the society. Taking this opportunity, the school will further deepen cooperation with CCTBTS. Therefore, the two parties can give a full play to these advantages to nurture more foreign language personnel with advanced translation capabilities, achieving a win-win cooperation.