CICG translator calls for better telling Belt and Road stories

Wang Maohu, chief Arabic-language translator of China International Communications Group and a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), stressed telling stories related to the Belt and Road well to extend the reach and appeal of Chinese culture during the country's ongoing "two sessions," the annual meetings of China's national legislature and top political advisory body. 

Wang has studied Arabic and worked in the field of international communication for several decades. Since he became a member of the CPPCC National Committee in 2018, he has summited multiple proposals on how to better tell China's stories. In 2022, his proposal regarding the role of youths from foreign countries in helping to tell China's stories was rated excellent by the CPPCC National Committee. 

"During the past 10 years, China has organized colorful people-to-people exchange activities with countries along the Belt and Road, which has enhanced mutual understanding and fostered friendships," Wang said. 

He said that activities displaying China's intangible cultural heritage and related products have drawn wide attention, and he has witnessed people's love for China's intangible cultural heritage in the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and many other countries.  

Nevertheless, Wang noted such cultural exchanges could be strengthened in many aspects. Individuals and groups should be encouraged to pool all resources to inherit or promote intangible cultural heritage, and innovation and cross-cultural communication abilities need be enhanced as well, he said. 

He suggested building a working mechanism to strengthen intangible cultural heritage exchange among Belt and Road countries, and boosting non-governmental exchanges in this regard, so as to better promote Chinese culture worldwide.