The Research Centre for Country-specific Translation and Interpretation Capacity (RECTIC) at Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) released the 2019 Global Index of National Translation and Interpretation Capacity & the 2019 Ranking List of Chinese Universities Translation and Interpretation Capacity, on May 22, 2021.

Ren Wen, dean of the BFSU School of Translation and Interpretation and project director of two research programs, speaks at the ceremony.

Ren Wen, dean of the BFSU School of Translation and Interpretation and project director of two research programs, briefed attendees on the significance, methods, procedures, index composition and the direction of future studies related to the research programs.

The release of the final results of two research programs drew an enthusiastic response from attendees at the ceremony.

The 2019 Global Index of National Translation and Interpretation Capacity covered 198 countries and regions. The US ranked first on the list, followed by the UK and China. They were followed by Canada, Spain, Germany, France, Austria, Russia and Italy.

The 2019 Ranking List of Chinese Universities Translation and Interpretation Capacity covered 434 universities on the Chinese mainland, and 20 universities from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. The top three universities on the list were BFSU, Shanghai International Studies University and Fudan University. The Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, Peking University, Xi'an International Studies University, Sichuan International Studies University, Tianjin Foreign Studies University, Beijing Language and Culture University, and Zhejiang University came in at fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth place.

Zhao Gang, member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Committee and vice president of BFSU, speaks at the ceremony.

During his speech at the ceremony, Zhao Gang, member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Committee and vice president of BFSU, fully acknowledged the efforts made by the research team headed by Ren, as well as commended them on the reliability of their research results.

Zhao urged the research team to carry forward their research spirit, further adjust and improve the index and ranking list in relation to translation and interpretation capacity, as well as to make positive contributions to the scientific, objective and balanced assessment of country-specific and university-specific translation and interpretation capacity.

He also called upon them to provide more guidance and references to the country for the further improvement of its translation and interpretation capacity, and to help facilitate the development of China's cultural influence and economic power. 

The research program of the Global Serial Index of Translation and Interpretation Capacity, led by Yang Dan, deputy Party chief and president of BFSU, is an interdisciplinary, pioneering and original piece of research conducted by the RECTIC in the sectors of the liberal arts and digital-supported humanity in the new era.

A photo of attendees at the ceremony

It will engage in the research of translation and interpretation capacity of Chinese and foreign universities, as well as the industrial translation and interpretation capacity index.

The findings of the research team received wide coverage from the Xinhua News Agency, CCTV-13, and People's Daily, among others.