China's top translation and interpretation capacity test opens door to foreigners

China's most authoritative translation and interpretation qualification test will be launched worldwide, according to the test's organizer, the China Accreditation Test for Translators and Interpreters Project Management Center of China Foreign Languages Publishing Administration.

The test, CATTI International, is open to all foreign candidates, with its focus on testing the capabilities of translation and interpretation between Chinese and foreign languages.

The CATTI tests, held for about 20 years in China, cover eight major languages. In recent years, overseas demands soared as China has come into the limelight on the global stage.

CATTI International will have both an overseas and a domestic version. At the end of 2020, the overseas version will be first launched for foreigners and Chinese who are studying or working overseas. The domestic version of the test is expected to be launched in the first half of 2021.

Considering the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, tests at the end of this year will be held online and taken at home. For those who would have difficulties taking the online test, the test will be given at centers in compliance with the local policy of pandemic prevention and control.

Sample tests have been taken by more than 2,000 people from over 50 universities and international schools across the world.

Registration will be open to candidates all over the world starting Oct 20, at www.catticenter.com. The test will be held on Dec 20, including two sessions in the Eastern Hemisphere and Western Hemisphere.