On the eve of the opening of 2008 Beijing Olympics, The XVIII International Federation of Translators (FIT) World Congress is held at the Shanghai International Convention Center from August 3rd - 7th, 2008, with the main subject of “Translation and Cultural Diversity”. 1,500 translators from over 76 countries and regions participates in the congress, together with many senior professionals from enterprises, colleges and academic institutions, government agencies and the press. The number of national delegate institutions and participants counts far beyond that of previous sessions.

According to the Secretariat of the Organizing Committee, the Organizing Committee of the congress has received 1,500 theses, of which 400 pieces are selected to be narrated on separate forums. The Congress arranges 88 separate forums, whose subjects cover translation and culture, education, technology, translation service, diplomacy, etc. The spokesmen who deliver speeches on “Translation and Culture Diversity” include, former Chinese Ambassador to France and the Chairman of Bureau of International Expositions, Mr. Wu Jianmin; the Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations’ Department for General Assembly and Conference Management, Mr. Johannes Mancasa; the Chief Secretary of European Commission's Directorate-General for Translation, Mr. Karl-Johan LÖNNROTH; and the researcher of the Department of Translation of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Mr. Gu Yueguo.

The host of 2008 XVIII International Federation of Translators (FIT) World Congress in Shanghai, China demonstrates the important role of China in global translation as well as in the history of the International Federation of Translators. This is also the first Federation of Translators (FIT) World Congress held in Asia. The congress serves as a great opportunity and an essential platform for the mutual exchange, communication and cooperation among the translation academic and industrial circles of all countries, providing a possibility of further understanding among the member organizations of FIT, Asian and Chinese translation associates.