On December 7^th, 2024, the Institute for Cross-Cultural Studies and the Department of Languages and Cultures of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at UIC hosted a one-day conference on ‘Scotland and China: Literature and Translation’. The conference brought together senior and junior scholars from around China, Macao and Hong Kong to explore aspects of China in Scottish literature, and the translation and reception of Scottish literature in China.

Conference Participants Group Photo

Among distinguished participants were Professor Zhang Jian of Beijing Foreign Studies University, who has translated modern Scottish poetry, Professor Wang Lan of Shanghai International Studies University, who has won a National Grant to study contemporary Scottish drama in China, and Professor Hongling Lv, Director of Nanjing Normal University’s Centre for Scottish Studies, and an expert on Scottish fiction. Guests from UIC’s sister campus, HKBU, included Professor Stuart Christie, a long-time enthusiast of Scottish literary culture.

Professor Wang Lan

Professor Hongling Lv

Professor Stuart Christie

The conference anticipates a forthcoming book on Scottish-Chinese literary encounters, edited by Professor Daisy Li of Macao Polytechnic University, and UIC’s own Professor John Corbett.

Professor Daisy Li

Professor John Corbett

Contributors to this volume, due to be published in March 2025, include UIC’s Professor Charles Lowe and Dr Xu Xi, both of whom spoke at the conference. 

Dr Xu Xi

Professor Charles LOWE

The organizers hope that this event will be one of a growing number that will continue to explore the many literary and cultural ties between China and Scotland.