On September 18, at the invitation of the School of Foreign Languages and Literatures (SFLL), Professor Zhao Junfeng, a Level-2 Professor at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies and Vice Chairperson of the China National Committee for Graduate Education of Translation and Interpreting, delivered an academic lecture entitled “Reconstructing the Image of China under the Rule of Law through the International Translation of Legal Literature: Issues and Approaches” at Qinling Hall on Yuzhong Campus. The lecture was chaired by Associate Professor He Min, Director of the Institute of Translating Studies at SFLL. More than 100 faculty members and students attended the lecture.

Professor Zhao began with the classification of literary disciplines and the historical development of translation education, offering an engaging account of the multifaceted relationship between literature and law. He systematically mapped the intellectual landscape of law and literature studies, moving from “law as literature” to “law in literature,” and then to “law of literature” and “law through literature”. He observed that texts ranging from traditional crime-case fiction to canonical literary works often contain significant legal elements that are easily overlooked and merit further scholarly inquiry. Addressing the contemporary challenge of advancing the rule of law in foreign-related affairs, Professor Zhao cited General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important remarks on strengthening the rule of law in foreign-related affairs. He noted that this endeavor is not only a key component of the system of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics, but also an important part of strengthening China’s international communication capacity and participating in global governance. Professor Zhao argued that legal literature combines “legal truth” with “literary sensibility”, making it an accessible and empathetic medium through which international audiences can gain an understanding of the rule of law in China. Through accurate translation of legal literature into foreign languages, he explained, it is possible to reconstruct the image of China under the rule of law by drawing on historical narratives. Regarding translation strategies, Professor Zhao put forward an innovative dual-track principle of “Lige (establishing the framework) and Chuanyi(conveying the meaning)”: preserving the integrity of legal culture in translating its core concepts while creatively retaining literary meaning and recreating aesthetic effects. This approach seeks to achieve an organic integration of legal reasoning and poetics. The principle acts as essence of his years of dedicated research and reflection in the field of legal translation.

Following the lecture, Professor Zhao engaged in an in-depth discussion with faculty members and students on topics including career planning and how to meet the challenges posed by artificial intelligence.