Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation delegation on official visit to China

The delegation from the Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding has left for an official visit to the People's Republic of China from September 16 to 25, 2025, following the adoption of Chinese as one of the languages of the 2026 edition of the award.This visit aims to strengthen the presence of the award in the Chinese academic and cultural scene and open new horizons for cooperation with universities, research centers, and cultural institutions in China. It also seeks to highlight the role of translation as a bridge for cultural communication and consolidate the award's position as a leading international platform for translation and understanding between peoples.The first phase of the visit to the capital, Beijing, includes a diverse programme combining academic and cultural activities. The delegation will meet with a group of translators and academics working in the field of translation, including previous Chinese winners from the 2018 and 2021 editions, which honoured the Chinese language.The visit will also include tours of prominent academic and cultural institutions in the field of translation and Arabic studies, such as the Confucian Studies Association, Peking University, and the University of Languages and Culture. The delegation will also explore ancient cultural landmarks, including the Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China.However, the highlight will be the academic conference to be held at the Beijing Foreign Studies University on September 18, titled "The Reality and Challenges of the Arabic-Chinese Translation Movement." This symposium is of exceptional importance as it is the first event of its kind to be held in China on the Arabic-Chinese translation movement organised by a non-Chinese institution, making it a global cultural precedent that reflects the award's pioneering role as an international platform for dialogue and cultural communication.During the second stop, the delegation will travel to Shanghai, where it will meet with a number of translators and institutions working in the field of cultural exchange between Arabic and Chinese, as well as publishing houses interested in publishing translations from and into Arabic. An academic meeting will also be held with professors and students from the Shanghai International Studies University to discuss the challenges facing the Arabic-Chinese translation movement and explore ways to develop and advance it.