There were four excellent nominees this year, each of whom was qualified to win the award. However, there were important reasons why this year's jurors ultimately chose Professor Xu Yuanchong:

1. In an international environment in need of effective communication, Professor Xu Yuanchong has devoted his career to building bridges among Chinese-, English- and French-speaking peoples.

2. He has translated Chinese literature extensively into English and French, as well as having translated major works from Western languages into Chinese. He has also published work on translation theory.

3. Jurors took into consideration the number of readers of English and French around the world who might be reached by Professor XuYuanchong's translations, as well as those who might read his translations into Chinese from English and French.

4. The Aurora Borealis nomination for Professor Xu Yuanchong by the Translators Association of China included a thorough analysis of his translation process, with examples that allowed jurors a glimpse into his thought and methodology. This glimpse was helpful and important for the jurors because it clarified and supported other parts of the nomination, such as the quantity of translations and the recognition given for them.

(Source: Federation of International Translators)