The 30th Beijing International Book Fair in Beijing on June 20, 2025 Photo: VCG

At the recent China top publication prize award ceremony honoring foreign authors, translators, and publishers, a Russian professor told the Global Times that as a sinologist and translator of Chinese literature, receiving this award is undoubtedly a great honor.

A total of 16 winners from 12 countries such as Russia, India, the US, Brazil, Egypt, and South Korea were awarded at the 18th Special Book Awards of China held in Beijing this month. Organized by the National Press and Publication Administration of China, the annual award is the highest national award granted to people who have made outstanding contributions in promoting Chinese publications and cultural exchanges between China and other countries. 

Aleksei Rodionov, professor of Chinese studies at Saint Petersburg University, is a laureate of the award in translating. He said that for a translator, being recognized by China's highest publishing award for foreigners is extremely important.

"For me, it is a great source of support and encouragement to do more and do better in promoting cultural exchanges between Russia and China," said the 50-year-old.

Russia's Alexander Semenov and his wife Tatiana Semenova also received the translation award. Semenov, who is the head of the Oriental Languages Department at the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, told the Global Times that the years 2024 and 2025 mark the "Russia-China Years of Culture," making this honor particularly significant and meaningful for them at this special moment. 

"Russia and China share a time-honored friendship, with culture always serving as a vital bond that deepens our mutual understanding and propels us forward together. We firmly believe that true mutual understanding stems from the profound knowledge of one another, and books - especially those rich in intellectual and cultural value - are essential bridges that connect our hearts and minds," said Semenov.

Established in 2005, the award has been presented to 219 recipients from 63 countries, according to the organizer. 

Aleksei Rodionov Photo: Courtesy of Aleksei Rodionov

Special bond

Having had a whirlwind tour in China participating in seminars and new book launch events at the Beijing International Book Fair, Rodionov said that he feels a special bond with China when he recalled his journey in Chinese literature.

"I was born on the Russian-Chinese border and grew up by the Amur River - known in China as the Heilongjiang River. From the moment I was born, I had a connection with China. As someone with a passion for foreign languages, learning Chinese naturally became the best choice for me. That's how I embarked on the journey of studying the Chinese language and literature. Once I began learning Chinese and exploring Chinese culture, a whole new world opened up before me," he noted. 

"Translating Chinese literary works is my lifelong calling. It brings me joy and gives my life a deeper sense of purpose," the professor said.

For decades, he has long been engaged in translating and researching modern and contemporary Chinese literature, having translated 26 works by Chinese authors such as Lao She, Jia Pingwa, and Han Shaogong, and has curated the publication of translated contemporary Chinese literature, such as Anthology: Border Town, Snow and Crow, and Anthology: The Forty Third Page. 

Russian readers have shown growing interest in Chinese culture in recent years, while knowledge about China has also been incorporated into many humanities and disciplines at Russian colleges, according to the professor.

"Literary works are an important gateway to understanding Chinese culture and the Chinese people. In Russia, authors like Liu Zhenyun, Mo Yan, and Yu Hua are very popular," he said. 

To the professor, translation is, in fact, a very enjoyable task. During the process, the translator often encounters things that require personal exploration and in-depth research. After all, translation itself is a process of building bridges.

"When translating the novel Snow and Crow, I went to Harbin three times and visited the author, Chi Zijian, to verify some place names and cultural references. I encourage young translators to rely less on artificial intelligence, and instead use their minds more, explore China in person, and truly experience its culture firsthand," said Rodionov.

A vibrant force

In addition to the contemporary literature, many Russian youth have developed a strong interest in Chinese science fiction and web novels. In 2023, a Chinese web fantasy novel titled Heaven Official's Blessing by digital author Mo Xiang Tong Xiu even became a bestseller in Russia.

The number of online literature users in China increased to 575 million in 2024. High-quality online works continue to emerge across a variety of genres like realism, science fiction, and historical fiction, enriching the fabric of contemporary Chinese literature, according to the 2024 China Online Literature Blue Book released by the China Writers Association in June.

Chinese online literature is gaining traction internationally. In 2024, the number of active overseas readers reached an estimated 200 million, with around 30 million new users joining platforms over the course of the year, according to the blue book. 

If around 60 books were published in 2023 in Russia, then approximately 140 were published in 2024. This significant leap is mainly due to the surge in the publication of online Chinese literature, according to the professor.

The main audience for online literature is young people. They will grow up and become a vibrant force in fostering exchanges between Russia and China. In this sense, the global reach of online Chinese literature can have a positive and lasting impact on the international dissemination of Chinese culture, Rodionov noted.