International translators and scholars gathered in Nanning this week to reimagine cultural diplomacy at the 2025 Sinologists Translation Workshop, a key side event of the China-ASEAN Theater Week. Participants explored innovative methods to translate China's intangible cultural heritage – from traditional operas to oral storytelling – into globally resonant formats.
"We're not just converting words, but capturing the heartbeat of traditions that continue to evolve," said Dr. Mei Lin, a cultural anthropologist from Singapore. The workshop highlighted digital storytelling platforms and cross-media adaptations that make ancient tea ceremonies and shadow puppetry accessible to modern audiences.
Collaborations between ASEAN linguists and Chinese tech firms yielded prototype augmented reality tools that animate classical poetry. These developments come as China-ASEAN cultural exchanges reach record levels, with bilateral trade in creative services growing 18% year-to-date in 2025.
