A TRANSLATION contest involving contemporary Chinese-language works was launched Monday to expand the country’s cultural influence.

    The organizing committee of the 2013 China International Translation Contest has chosen 30 award-winning, contemporary Chinese short stories from renowned writers including Jia Pingwa, Wang Anyi and Nobel laureate Mo Yan.

    Shi Zhanjun, editor-in-chief of People’s Literature Magazine, said the chosen pieces not only represent the highest standard of modern Chinese literature but also contain common elements of humanity and internationally appealing topics, such as love.

    Participants are required to choose one of the 30 stories to translate into English, French, Russian, Spanish or Arabic and must submit their work before Feb. 28, 2014.

    Organizers said both individual and group translators are welcome to take part.

    The top prize for each language will be US$5,000.

    The competition is jointly hosted by the State Council Information Office, the Chinese Writers Association and the China International Publishing Group. Co-organizers include Penguin Books, Hachette Livre (France), Editorial Popular (Spain), Oriental Literature Publisher (Russia) and the Egypt-China Cultural Exchange Association.

    (SD-Agencies)