On December 6, the 5th International Forum for Writers, Translators, and Critics, themed "East and West," was held at GXU. The forum was hosted by Guangxi University and co-organized by the College of Foreign Language and the Asia-Pacific Institute of Translation and Intercultural Communication of Guangxi University. Dong Hongchuan, President of the China Association for Comparative Studies of English and Chinese and President of Sichuan International Studies University; Tang Zhihua, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Guangxi University; and Huang Youyi, Executive Vice President of the Translators Association of China and Vice President of the China Academy of Translation, attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches.

Dong Hongchuan stated that the forum’s focus on artificial intelligence and the humanities aligns with the needs of the times. He raised critical questions amid the technological wave: “What is the role of literature? What is the role of translation? Where does the humanistic spirit lie?”—posing academic, contemporary, and civilization inquiries. He expressed hope that the forum would balance theoretical depth with practical relevance, using translation to facilitate mutual learning among civilizations, and let literature to safeguard the brilliance of humanity, thereby contributing to the intellectual discourse of the era.

On behalf of the university, Tang Zhihua extended a warm welcome to the attending experts and scholars. He provided a brief overview of Guangxi University and the development of its College of Foreign Language. He encouraged experts to leverage literature as a bond, translation as a bridge, and criticism as a foundation to promote the global reach of Chinese stories and the introduction of outstanding foreign cultures. This, he emphasized, would advance equal mutual learning among civilizations and strengthen the cultural foundation of a shared future for humanity.

Huang Youyi emphasized that intercultural translation is a vital driver of human progress and world peace, as well as a key component of China’s international communication. He highlighted the critical importance of translation quality, calling for collaboration between Chinese and foreign translators and the utilization of diverse communication channels. Additionally, he noted that the overseas dissemination of Chinese literature is a long-term task fraught with challenges, requiring sustained efforts from all parties to enhance the international community’s understanding of China.

Centered on the theme “Artificial Intelligence and the Humanities in the Era of Big Data,” the forum featured not only keynote speeches in the main venue but also eight parallel sessions focusing on core issues such as AI translation applications and the international expression of Chinese stories. The forum aimed to establish a platform for literary and artistic exchange between the East and the West, foster collision of ideas and academic dialogue, explore new pathways for intercultural communication, support the global outreach of Chinese culture, and build bridges for intellectual exchange and mutual learning between Eastern and Western civilizations.

The event brought together renowned writers, translators, and critics from over ten countries and regions, including China, the United States, and Russia, along with more than 200 faculty members and students from domestic and international universities.