Xiamen University Creates China–ASEAN Association on Translation

RRI.CO.ID, Kuala Lumpur – The China–ASEAN Association of Translation, Interpreting and Communication was officially inaugurated at the opening ceremony of the China–ASEAN Conference on Translation, Interpreting and Communication, held at Xiamen University Malaysia on Saturday, 18 April 2026. The ceremony was attended by more than 30 scholars from over 20 universities across eight countries, who witnessed the launch of the association.

"Three representatives from Indonesia attended the conference and participated in the establishment of the association, including delegates from the Indonesian Translators Association (Himpunan Penerjemah Indonesia) and a scholar from Universitas Gadjah Mada," Surinah of Xiamen University said in a statement received by RRI Voice of Indonesia on Sunday, 19 April 2026.

The China–ASEAN Conference on Translation, Interpreting and Communication was hosted by Xiamen University and jointly organized by its College of Foreign Languages and Cultures and Xiamen University Malaysia. It brought together scholars from more than 20 universities and institutions across China and ASEAN countries to discuss a wide range of related topics.

Topics include "Intercultural Dialogue and Local–Global Nexus" and "Innovation and Transformation in Translator and Interpreter Education in the AI Era", and "Translation and Interpreting Practice, Training, and the Market". By aligning with national strategies on neighborhood diplomacy and people-to-people exchange, the conference aims to enhance regional language services and communication capacity, provide robust linguistic support for China–ASEAN cooperation, and contribute to regional collaboration and mutual understanding.

"The inauguration of the association during the conference marks a new stage in translation, interpreting and communication cooperation between China and ASEAN countries," the statement said.

In his address on behalf of the host institution, Vice President, Wu Chaopeng, noted that the Plan of Action to Implement the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2026–2030) provides important guidance for deepening cooperation across various fields between China and ASEAN countries. He underscored that the conference, focusing on dialogues between civilizations and regional-global collaboration, holds significant relevance for advancing people-to-people exchanges and promoting mutual learning among civilizations.

"He (Wu Chaopeng) affirmed that Xiamen University will continue to leverage the strategic platform of its Malaysia campus and its disciplinary strengths to support China–ASEAN cultural exchange and collaborative innovation," the statement continued.

Malaysian novelist Dato' Dr. Mohammad Anwar Ridhwan and Vietnamese researcher Lam Quang Dong also delivered remarks, sharing insightful perspectives on China–ASEAN cooperation in translation, interpreting and communication, mutual learning among civilizations, and talent cultivation. They expressed their expectation of further deepening exchanges and collaboration in these fields.

Both speakers noted that, against the backdrop of steadily deepening regional cooperation, strengthening linguistic communication and people-to-people exchanges will not only consolidate the social and cultural foundations of China–ASEAN cooperation. The strengthening also inject sustained momentum into the building of a closer regional partnership.

The establishment of the association responds to the deepening exchanges between China and ASEAN across multiple domains, while addressing the growing demand for high-quality language services and cross-cultural communication in regional cooperation. Xiamen University stated it represents an "important" initiative in support of China's Belt and Road Initiative and advancing the realization of that Plan of Action.

Chair of the association and Dean of the College of Foreign Languages and Cultures at Xiamen University, Chen Jing, pointed out that the association aims to build an integrated platform for cooperation, promote academic exchange in translation studies and cross-cultural communication, and cultivate high-level professionals with global vision, bilingual and bicultural competence, and expertise in regional affairs. Moving forward, it will focus on academic collaboration in disciplinary development and talent training.

The China–ASEAN Association of Translation, Interpreting and Communication is an international, open, and non-profit academic organization jointly established by more than 10 leading institutions. Countries joined include China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and others.