Press Release

HKBU co-organises Asia-Pacific Translation and Interpreting Forum with exhibition showcasing language and translation technologies

Wednesday, 21 May 2025

 

Co-organised by Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), the International Federation of Translators (FIT) and its Asian Regional Centre, and the Hong Kong Translation Society, the three-day 11th Asia-Pacific Translation and Interpreting Forum (APTIF11) is launched today (21 May) on the HKBU campus. The event brings together around 400 representatives from the translation, interpreting, language technology, and academic research sectors across the Asia-Pacific region, as well as from European countries such as the UK, Italy, and Hungary, discussing how artificial intelligence and technology connect and integrate with language, translation and intercultural communication.

The Forum, themed “Culture, Connectivity and Technology: Translating Communities, Transforming Perspectives”, kicked off in a ceremony held today. Professor Janice Pan, Chair of the APTIF11 Organising Committee, and also the Director of the Academy of Language and Culture, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, and Professor of the Department of Translation, Interpreting and Intercultural Studies at HKBU, remarked, “This year’s APTIF11 brings together topics that resonate with both academic researchers and industry practitioners, bridging traditional cultural perspectives with technological innovation in translation.

“Beyond academic discussions, we aim to understand how the industry adopts AI and technology in research, product development and service delivery. Therefore, we have organised a featured exhibition and AI-themed pre-conference workshops to showcase the latest developments. The forum marks a significant milestone in regional collaboration within the translation community, as we explore this dialogue between tradition and innovation,” she said.

APTIF11 features over 200 panel sessions with keynote speakers and participants discussing the latest developments in the field. It also hosts a series of pre-conference workshops, with industry leaders from NVIDIA, Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Hong Kong sharing their insights alongside seasoned practitioners in the field. A public exhibition has also been introduced for the first time to showcase the industry’s achievements in integrating language services with technology. Among the exhibitors are Beijing NewClass Digital Technology, iFLYTEK Co., Ltd., Shanghai Yizhe Info Tech Co. Ltd., and Timekettle.

Launched in 1995 under the aegis of FIT, APTIF is a triennial event aimed at fostering collaboration and exchange within the region's translation and interpreting community. For more details, please visit the website of APTIF11.

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Professor Alex Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU (9th left); Dr Albert Chau, Vice-President (Teaching and Learning) (8th right); Professor Janice Pan, Chair of the Organising Committee of the Forum, and also the Director of the Academy of Language and Culture, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, and Professor of the Department of Translation, Interpreting and Intercultural Studies at HKBU (3rd right); Ms Alison Rodriguez, President of International Federation of Translators (9th right); Mr Gao Anming, Editor-in-chief of China International Communications Group and Executive Vice President and Secretary General of the Translators Association of China (8th left); and other guests and speakers attend the 11th Asia-Pacific Translation and Interpreting.
Professor Alex Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU delivers a speech at the opening ceremony.
Ms Alison Rodriguez, President of International Federation of Translators, addresses the participants at the opening ceremony.
Mr Gao Anming, Editor-in-chief of China International Communications Group and Executive Vice President and Secretary General of the Translators Association of China, speaks to the participants at the opening ceremony.
Professor Janice Pan, Chair of the Organising Committee of the 11th Asia-Pacific Translation and Interpreting Forum, and also the Director of the Academy of Language and Culture, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, and Professor of the Department of Translation, Interpreting and Intercultural Studies at HKBU, addresses the audience.
This year’s forum features a public exhibition to showcase the industry’s achievements in integrating language services with technology.