The 19th Special Book Awards of China gave away prizes to 15 writers, translators, and publishers from 12 different countries on June 16 in Beijing. The awards are the highest honor in the Chinese publishing industry for international recipients. CHINA DAILY

Fifteen writers, translators and publishers from 12 countries received honors at the 19th Special Book Awards of China in Beijing on June 16, the highest award in the Chinese publishing industry for foreign recipients.

This year's recipients represented multiple countries and professional backgrounds, including veteran Sinologists, international publishers, promoters of China-Arab cultural exchange and young practitioners of international communication.

Among the recipients is US Sinologist Edward L Shaughnessy, who has been dedicated to the study of pre-Qin history, paleography, excavated texts and the Confucian classics. His publications include Sources of Western Zhou History: Inscribed Bronze Vessels; The Origin and Early Development of the Zhou Changes; Before Confucius: Studies in the Creation of the Chinese Classics; and Rewriting Early Chinese Texts. He also coedited The Tsinghua University Warring States Bamboo Manuscripts: Studies and English Translations, and The Cambridge History of Ancient China: From the Origins of Civilization to 221 BC.

In his acceptance speech, Shaughnessy recollected his early experience of studying ancient Chinese classics under the supervision of distinguished Chinese scholars more than 50 years ago in China. It was at the start of "the Golden Age of Chinese Archaeology". Since then, Chinese archaeologists have unearthed hundreds more sites with ancient texts of all types, from oracle-bone inscriptions and inscribed bronze vessels of the Shang (c. 16th century-11th century BC) and Zhou (c. 11th century-256 BC) dynasties to thousands and even tens of thousands more manuscripts from the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220), but increasingly also from the still earlier Warring States Period (475-221 BC).

US Sinologist Edward L Shaughnessy. CHINA DAILY

"It has been the blessing of my lifetime not only to have seen these newly unearthed materials, but also to have been privileged to become friends with Chinese scholars such as Zhang Zhenglang, Zhu Dexi, Li Xueqin, Qiu Xigui, and too many others to be mentioned here, who have welcomed me to join them in their work to make them intelligible to others, both in China and abroad," he said in his acceptance speech.

"And it is a very great honor for me today to receive this special book award, and to be able to represent the other awardees in thanking the organizing committee for making this special day possible," he said.

US Sinologist Edward L Shaughnessy's book, Sources of Western Zhou History: Inscribed Bronze Vessels. CHINA DAILY

Another recipient, Mohamed Mousa Mohamed Bin Huwaidin from the United Arab Emirates, said the recognition would further encourage cultural and educational exchanges between China and the UAE.

As the dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at the United Arab Emirates University, his research focuses on China's relations with the Middle East and the Gulf region. His works include China's Relations with Arabia and the Gulf 1949-1999, and The Falcon and the Dragon: Sino-Gulf Relations — From Strangers to Strategic Partners.

Bin Huwaidin noted that both countries share important similarities as developmental states committed to improving people's lives through advancement and have created distinctive cooperation models through public-private partnership.

He also emphasized the importance of helping international audiences better understand China.

Italian Sinologist Tiziana Lippiello. CHINA DAILY

"People need to understand that China is a responsible state," he said, adding that China has made positive contributions to regional and international affairs.

Looking ahead, he highlighted educational exchange as an important direction for future China-Arab cooperation, saying that education promotes mutual understanding and creates broader opportunities for collaboration.

Italian Sinologist Tiziana Lippiello is also among the recipients of this honor. As the former rector of Ca' Foscari University in Venice, professor of Chinese language and literature, vice-president of the International Society for Chinese Language Teaching, and council member of the International Confucian Association, she has long been dedicated to the dissemination and study of traditional Chinese culture and literary classics. As such, she was among the first Sinologists to translate The Analects and The Doctrine of the Mean in their entirety into Italian. Her major works include Confucianism; Auspicious Omens and Miracles in Ancient China: Han, Three Kingdoms and Six Dynasties; and Shen Yue's Treatise on Auspicious Omens.

Italian Sinologist Tiziana Lippiello's work, Auspicious Omens and Miracles in Ancient China: Han, Three Kingdoms and Six Dynasties. CHINA DAILY

She said she was honored to receive the recognition and valued the opportunity to exchange ideas with fellow recipients while gaining a deeper understanding of the significance of the award.

Reflecting on her observations of contemporary China, Lippiello noted that many people in Europe are still unfamiliar with China's development achievements and stressed the importance of visiting China in person to gain a deeper understanding.

Drawing on her years of translating Confucian classics, she said misunderstandings about China often stem from limited access to authentic knowledge and the difficulty of fully conveying the richness of Chinese language and culture through translation alone.

Mohamed Mousa Mohamed Bin Huwaidin from the United Arab Emirates. CHINA DAILY

While translation serves as an important bridge for cultural communication, she emphasized that firsthand experience remains essential to understanding China.

Asked to summarize the essence of Chinese culture, Lippiello chose one word: "simplicity". She explained that many ideas found in Confucian teachings are simple, universal and continue to resonate across cultures.

Since its establishment in 2005, the Special Book Awards of China has honored 234 writers, translators, and publishers from 67 countries.

Mohamed Mousa Mohamed Bin Huwaidin's book, The Falcon and the Dragon: Sino-Gulf Relations — From Strangers to Strategic Partners. CHINA DAILY