Cao Ying: Translator into Chinese of Tolstoy's Works of Fiction

In 2004, Shanghai Literature and Art Press published Cao Ying's 12-volume translation of the "Complete Fiction of Tolstoy"with black-and-white illustrations, and again in January 2012, the China Publishing Group published the 12-volume translation of the "Complete Fiction of Tolstoy" with elegant and colorful original illustrations.

In addition, Cao Ying received the "Lu Xun Literary Translation Rainbow Award" from the China Writers' Association in 1997, and the Sino-Russian Friendship Association awarded him the "Friendship Medal" in 1999. In 2010, Cao Ying was conferred, together with other four outstanding translators, "the Lifelong Achievement Award" from the CTA.

"Although I have been doing translation for most of my life, I don't think I can claim to have mastered it. However, I have always tried to be honorable and honest in my life, and seriously dedicated in my work". These were Cao Ying's summary comments in an interview. His words have become the moral criterion for many people in China.

On November 24, 2015, Mr. Cao Ying passed away in Shanghai at the age of 92. The news prompted an outpouring of condolences to his family and publication of articles by his friends, students and admirers. All praised fulsomely his great achievements and morality. One was from the former Premier of China, Mr. Wen Jiabao. He wrote to Cao's widow, Madam Sheng Tianmin, stating "I'd like to express my heartfelt condolences to you. In 2004, I was deeply moved to have Mr. Cao Ying personally present me with his translation of The Complete Fiction of Tolstoy in twelve volumes. Mr. Cao Ying was an outstanding writer and literary translator; his achievement, moral character and spirit will continue to be admired and 0inherited in this world forever more." Cao Ying won honor for the Chinese nation, and the Chinese people will always be proud of him.