On April 27, at the invitation of the College of Foreign Studies at Nanjing Agricultural University and the Academic Research Center of Classics Translation and Overseas Sinology, Professor Wang Hongzhi, chair professor of Humanities and dean of the translation department in the Chinese University of Hong Kong visited our college and made a speech entitled Translation and Chinese Modern History - speaking of translation of credentials brought by the George Lord Macartney mission. The lecture was hosted by the vice dean in College of Foreign Studies, Professor Wang Yinquan, and more than 60 teachers and students listened to the lecture.
In the lecture, Professor Wang Hongzhi first showed Sino-foreign historical materials in this field collected by himself, pointed out the importance of first-hand literature for academic research, and introduced the representative results in this field. Then he moved on to his research topic, which is the event of the British Macartney Mission visiting China in the early Qing dynasty. He noted that the Macartney mission was the first British diplomatic mission to reach China, which was one of the most important exchanges between Britain and China, and an important event in the history of bilateral relations. Because of translation problems in the Sino-British diplomatic activities, clashes inevitably erupted, which led to the failure of diplomatic negotiations and the outbreak of the Opium War, changing the course of history.
Subsequently, Professor Wang Hongzhi pointed out that the translation problems existing in credentials to Emperor Qianlong brought by Macartney are worth studying. Wang Hongzhi explored and analyzed issues on "who is the translator of credentials? What is the difference between the version in the Privy Council and in Britain?" Based on historical data and logical reasoning, he gradually revealed influences on Sino-foreign relationships and the historical course caused by translation. Afterwards, Professor Wang summarized the meaning of translation to modern Chinese history.
After the lecture, Professor Wang interacted actively with teachers and students, and Teacher Bao Yan and Ding Xialin in our college both raised questions, which were answered by Professor Wang in detail. The lecture explained profound theories in simple language and covered abundant information, benefiting teachers and students. The lecture provided important academic information for teachers and students, broadened their academic vision and provided new insights in future translation research.
Professor Wang Yinquan summarized that the seminar benefited us from at least four aspects. First, it showed the major historical and academic value from case studies; second, it pointed out the relationship between translation and social development, indicating that translating not only affects the course of history and international relations but also promotes social development; third, it showed how to master rich historical academic materials and develop academic research successfully; and fourth, it pointed the way for teachers who want to carry out trans-disciplinary research.
Before the lecture, on behalf of the Academic Research Center of Classics Translation and Overseas Sinology, Professor Wang Yinquan issued the letter of appointment to Professor Wang Hongzhi, hiring him as the committee member in the Academic Research Center of Classics Translation and Overseas Sinology.
With a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Philosophy from University of Hong Kong, as well as Doctor of Philosophy from the School of Oriental and African Studies of the University of London, Professor Wang Hongzhi specializes in translation and modern Chinese literature. He at present holds the office of Chair Professor of Humanities, dean of the translation department in the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Deputy Director of the Chinese Cultural Studies Research Institute, Director of the Research Centre for Translation, and is a part-time professor and PhD. supervisor in the Chinese Department of Fudan University as well as in the Graduate School of Translation and Interpretation of Shanghai International Studies University. He acted as dean of the College of Arts and Humanities and Social Sciences of Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, Vice Dean of the College of Arts of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Director of the Institute of Humanities, and head of the Hong Kong Culture Research Centre. His research mainly covers Chinese literature and politics in the 20th century, modern translation history in China, and research on the culture of Hong Kong. He has written "Between Literature and Translation", "Reexplain", “Faithfulness, Expressiveness and Elegance: Chinese Translation in the 20th Century", "Between literature and politics: Lu Xun • New Moon • Literary History", and “Politics and Literature in Shanghai: The Chinese League of Left-wing Writers, 1930-1936”, as well as over 140 academic papers.
