Sinologists and Chinese authors gathered for a seminar on Chinese stories in Beijing on Monday.[Photo/People's Daily Online]

"I don't know a word of foreign languages, but I know this, translation is what makes world-class literature," Mo Yan, the Nobel Prize winner, said to a roomful of Sinologists at the two-day Sinologists' Seminar on Literature and Translation Monday. "And I plead to you all to become a believer in Chinese literature," he added.

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By the book

The seminar, held by the Chinese Writers Association, gathered some 70 Sinologists, academics who specialize in China, from all over the world to "parse Chinese stories" with a dozen Chinese authors, including Mo Yan and Mai Jia.

Techniques, subtleness and liberty on the part of the translator are among topics of discussion. But there is one consensus beyond contention, that Chinese literature needs more exposure.

"The most important thing right now is getting a variety of literature out," Kim Tae Sung, researcher at the Institute of Sino-Korean Culture said. "So that readers in our country know how rich China really is, it's not what it was like in the Sixties."

"Italian readers are always looking for stories that let them embark onto a whole new world view," Maria Rita Masci, the Italian sinologist said. "Chinese stories that tell universal experiences appeal to them, too. "

"When you get into a Chinese story, you're also looking deeper into your own life," Tie Ning, author and the president of Chinese Writers Association said at the opening ceremony.