At this year’s Frankfurt Book Fair, China is spotlighting its extensive “Library of Chinese Classics” series, featuring translations into languages of Belt and Road Initiative partner countries. These works, on display at the China International Communications Group (CICG) booth, aim to foster cultural exchange by introducing quintessential Chinese literary masterpieces to a global audience.
The series, published by the Foreign Languages Press (FLP) under CICG, includes several iconic Chinese texts translated into languages such as Hindi, Spanish, Burmese, Bengali, and Swahili. Notable works exhibited at the fair include Journey to the West (Chinese-Hindi), Laozi (Chinese-Hindi), Selected Stories of the Tang Dynasty (Chinese-Hindi), and Selected Strange Tales from the Liaozhai Studio (Chinese-Swahili and Chinese-Hindi). The translations of these works are part of China’s broader effort to strengthen ties with Belt and Road partner countries through cultural diplomacy.
The “Library of Chinese Classics” project was created to showcase the depth and richness of traditional Chinese culture to a global audience. It has become a cultural emblem, offering readers around the world access to some of the most celebrated works from China’s literary history. The series is central to China’s mission to foster greater people-to-people connections and encourage mutual understanding between nations.
The project focuses on a selection of 25 essential Chinese works, many of which have been translated into languages spoken in partner countries. These works include texts such as The Analects by Confucius, Laozi, Sun Zi: The Art of War, The Book of History, The Classic of Mountains and Seas, and Zhuangzi. Each work reflects a different aspect of China’s cultural, philosophical, or historical heritage.
Since its inception, the project has seen significant growth. In 2019, 84 titles from the series received support from China’s National Publication Foundation. So far, 75 volumes across 55 titles have been published in 24 languages, including French, Russian, Arabic, Spanish, Swahili, Urdu, and Turkish. This remarkable expansion highlights China’s commitment to broadening cultural exchanges, with many of these works being distributed worldwide.
The “Library of Chinese Classics” initiative also represents a collaborative effort between FLP and 20 other leading Chinese publishers, including the Commercial Press, Zhonghua Book Company, and People’s Literature Publishing House. Together, they have worked to ensure that the translations maintain both the literary quality and cultural significance of the original works.
In a further push to expand its cultural outreach, the “Library of Chinese Classics” working committee has announced a second batch of translations. These new editions will encompass 20 more titles translated into 16 additional languages spoken in Belt and Road partner countries, such as Albanian, Persian, Azerbaijani, and Sinhala. The second batch of translations has secured fresh funding from the National Publication Foundation for its 2023 rollout.
With translations now available in 34 languages, the “Library of Chinese Classics” continues to grow, providing readers from diverse cultures with access to China’s literary treasures. As the project develops, it is set to play an increasingly important role in promoting cultural understanding and strengthening ties between China and its global partners. The series’ ongoing success is a testament to the power of literature as a bridge between civilizations.