The global translator residency program, "Songyang: Translators' Home", launched on Sept 28 in Youtian village of Songyang county in Lishui, Zhejiang province.

As the first cultural exchange platform for global translators in China, the project aims to provide an immersive environment for both Chinese and international translators and sinologists, advancing translation practices and cross-cultural dialogues while boosting Songyang's cultural tourism integration and global communication.

Since its trial operation in August, the program has attracted 20 resident translators working in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, and Persian.

The program offers translators an ideal workspace while establishing a systematic mechanism for output. Translators are required to write residency notes that incorporate elements of Songyang, promoting the county through domestic and overseas social media platforms.

Upon publication, sample copies of their translated works are sent to "Translators' Home" with outstanding works featured in overseas exhibitions. Distinguished translators may also be honored as Songyang Cultural Tourism International Communication Ambassadors.

Joan Valadou, consul general of France in Shanghai, said he hoped the project would lead to more French translations of diverse genres — including novels, poetry, children's literature, legal and social science works — reaching audiences across the world from Songyang, highlighting its profound significance for academic and cultural exchange between China and France.

To expand online and offline reach, the project has also launched a WeChat public account to share updates on residency and cultural content.