Riccardo Moratto

Riccardo Moratto is an internationally renowned scholar and renowned sinologist, Distinguished Professor (特聘教授) at the School of Foreign Languages at Tongji University and Vice Director of the Research Center for Chinese Discourse and Global Communication (国家语委研究型基地中国对外话语体系研究中心副主任), former Full Professor at the Graduate Institute of Interpretation and Translation, Shanghai International Studies University. His career has been dedicated to fostering mutual understanding between China and the world, telling China’s stories on a global stage, and promoting meaningful cultural exchanges through translation, education, and scholarship. In 2025 he was awarded the prize “Friend of Chinese Literature” by the Chinese Writers’ Association.

He has a solid foundation in translation theory and outstanding practical translation skills. Over the years, he has focused on the study of the translation of Chinese culture, hosting and participating in various international translation seminars and literary exchange activities, tirelessly promoting Chinese literature and culture. He is the only Italian member of the International Association of Conference Interpreters (AIIC) in the Asia-Pacific region, with Chinese, English, and Italian as working languages. He is also a Chartered Linguist and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Linguists (FCIL), Executive Committee Member of the World Interpreter and Translator Training Association (WITTA), and Executive Editor of the International Journal of Translation and Communication.

In the field of translation studies, Professor Moratto has deep professional expertise, and his research has built a bridge between Chinese literature and global translation studies. He has published over 100 academic articles and more than 40 books, offering groundbreaking insights that advance the understanding of Chinese culture and its interaction with the world. As the editor-in-chief of Interpreting Studies for Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press and editor-in-chief of two prestigious Routledge series (Routledge Studies in East Asian Interpreting and Routledge Interdisciplinary and Transcultural Approaches to Chinese Literature), he has created international platforms for the global dissemination of Chinese scholarship and literature. His latest publication on Chinese interpreting (Chinese Interpreting: Strategies and Teaching Methodologies) is a valuable resource for linguists and fosters deeper academic ties between China and the world. The book has already been published in Italian and English and and is currently being translated into more than five other languages.

In translation practice, Professor Moratto focuses on the international promotion of contemporary Chinese literature. His translations are accurate, vivid, expressive, and artistically compelling, demonstrating his profound understanding of Chinese language and culture. He has translated works by renowned Chinese authors such as Wang Guowei, Hu Shi, Ruan Ji, Li Jingze, Tang Sulan, Han Shaogong, Su Tong, Li Er, Xiao Bai, Lin Bai, Chan Ho-kei, Chi Wei-jan, as well as Xi Jinping’s Stories of Xi Jinping into Italian. These works received unanimous recognition from the Italian translation, publishing, and cultural communities, enhancing global readers’ understanding and appreciation of contemporary Chinese society and culture, thus contributing to the dialogue between civilizations. Additionally, he is the only foreigner to have published two Chinese-language essay collections in China. The writer Li Er commented that his Chinese expression ability “is comparable to the best Chinese authors.”

As an educator, Professor Moratto has played a pivotal role in cultivating future talents in translation and interpreting. He has designed and taught specialized courses that combine theory and practice, preparing students for real-world challenges. He has established exchange and cooperation with many Italian universities, including the University of Bergamo and the University of Venice, often using “Chinese stories” as the theme for his reports or lectures. Notably, he coached the winner of the special award in the Central China District (Hunan) final of the 8th Cross-Strait interpreting competition, demonstrating his dedication to nurturing a new generation of interpreters who can effectively tell China's stories on the international stage.

Professor Moratto is a friend of China and has actively promoted cross-cultural communication and exchange between China and Italy (as well as China and the world). He has been interviewed multiple times by renowned media outlets both domestically and internationally, and his interviews have been featured twice in China Social Sciences Today. In his view, for foreigners to tell China’s story well, they must immerse themselves in Chinese culture, personally experience the endless charm of the Chinese language, continuously update their understanding of China, and align their actions with the development of the times. He is dedicated to advancing various forms of Sino-Italian cultural cooperation and has made significant contributions to the dissemination of Chinese literature and culture in Italy. Through his scholarly achievements, translation efforts, and commitment to education, Professor Moratto has made profound contributions to strengthening cross-cultural communication and enhancing global understanding of Chinese culture and values. Professor Moratto is a hyperpolyglot and has also worked as a TV host.