Remote & hybrid interpreting
An interpreter ready online when your headquarters in China meets your team in Türkiye
Not every meeting needs an interpreter on site. Yeni İpekyolu (New Silk Road) provides remote Chinese–Turkish interpreting via Zoom, Teams, Tencent Meeting or WeChat video calls, connecting your headquarters in China with your customers, suppliers and employees in Türkiye. If you wish, an on-site interpreter in Türkiye can also serve online participants at the same time.
For headquarters–Turkish team meetings, the interpreter is on screen, not on the road
Remote vs on-site interpreting: negotiations and factories
For most of the communication in Chinese companies' business in Türkiye, the interpreter does not need to be on site. Regular meetings between headquarters and the Turkish team, quarterly reviews with agents and technical Q&As with suppliers can all be held by video conference. Remote interpreting eliminates travel time and expenses and makes last-minute meetings easier. For individuals living in Türkiye, conversations with a landlord, building management or customer service can often be resolved with a few minutes of remote interpreting.
In some cases, on-site interpreting is still recommended: negotiations where you need to observe the other side's facial expressions and reactions, noisy factory environments, discussions where many people speak at once, and procedures such as at a notary or hospital where the interpreter must be physically present. The hybrid model is a middle ground: an interpreter is present in the meeting room in Türkiye and serves both the room and online participants.
Beijing is 5 hours ahead: Tencent Meeting or Zoom?
Türkiye uses UTC+3 all year round; Beijing time is 5 hours ahead of Türkiye. Mornings in Türkiye coincide with afternoons in China, when the two sides' working hours overlap most, so always specify the time zone when scheduling meetings. As for platforms, Chinese teams generally use Tencent Meeting and WeChat, while Turkish companies are used to Zoom, Teams, Google Meet or WhatsApp; it is important to agree in advance on a platform both sides can use without problems.
The quality of remote interpreting depends heavily on audio. We recommend that speakers use headsets with microphones rather than several people talking around a single laptop; in meeting rooms, make sure the microphone covers every seat. Before important meetings, we run a connection test with you and confirm the interpretation channel, screen sharing and a backup communication route.
A last-minute link change leaves the interpreter outside the meeting
The most common problem is materials not being provided in advance; if the interpreter sees the presentation and data for the first time in the meeting, accuracy naturally suffers. The second problem is several people speaking at once or interrupting each other; in a remote setting, the interpreter struggles to tell who is speaking. And if the meeting link is changed at the last minute without telling the interpreter, the interpreter cannot be found when the meeting starts.
Our advice is simple: send the materials and the final link the day before the meeting, have the moderator manage the speaking order, let one person speak at a time and say important figures slowly. For remote factory inspections, list the areas to be seen and the questions in advance and have the factory show them in order. That way, you can communicate efficiently with the Turkish side even while you are in China.
For teams working across time zones and those running remote audits
Headquarters management in China
Executives who hold regular video meetings with their subsidiary or agent in Türkiye. Monthly operations, budget and project review meetings can be held online. A remote interpreter lets headquarters executives listen to the Turkish team's presentation directly rather than through an English summary.
Buyers inspecting factories or samples remotely
Buyers inspecting a Turkish factory or samples from China via video link. The supplier streams video while walking around with a phone, and the interpreter interprets the commentary and Q&A in real time. This suits preliminary supplier screening or situations where travel is not possible in time.
Individuals in Türkiye
People who need a short conversation with a landlord, doctor or customer service, from a few minutes to an hour, for example reporting a fault to building management, confirming a delivery or asking about a bill. Remote interpreting is much faster than having someone come in person.
Companies holding hybrid meetings
Some participants are in a meeting room in Türkiye and others join online from China. Hybrid meetings require more care with the audio setup, so that everyone both in the room and online can hear clearly. We can assign an on-site interpreter and coordinate the audio setup.
Video conferencing, WeChat calls, remote audits and hybrid meetings
Video conference interpreting
Consecutive interpreting or a simultaneous interpretation channel on Zoom, Teams and Tencent Meeting. On Zoom and Teams, separate interpretation channels can be set up and participants choose their language themselves. Features on platforms such as Tencent Meeting depend on the current version, so we test in advance.
WeChat video and phone interpreting
Suitable for short calls and urgent needs. A three-way call can be set up, with the interpreter speaking to both you and the Turkish side. For long or formal meetings, a video conferencing platform is recommended.
Remote factory audit interpreting
We interpret the factory commentary and Q&A during a live video link from the site. We recommend preparing a checklist in advance and having the person on site show each item in order. If the factory's internet is weak, video can be recorded first and the Q&A held afterwards.
Hybrid meeting support
An on-site interpreter serves both participants in the room and those online. We confirm the room microphones, speakers and online platform connection in advance, so online participants hear the discussion in the room and those in the room hear the online speakers.
Connection test
Audio, video and the interpretation channel are tested in advance to minimize technical problems. The test is usually done the day before or half an hour before the meeting. For important meetings, we recommend that the moderator also takes part in the test.
Service summary and requirements
| Pricing | Minute packages or hourly quotation |
|---|---|
| Booking | Usually 1 day in advance; urgent requests considered |
| Platforms | Zoom · Teams · Tencent Meeting · WeChat |
| Service languages | Chinese · Turkish · English |
| Cities served | Mainly Istanbul; also Ankara, Izmir and other cities |
The final price and timeline depend on your documents and scope; we send a clear quote within 2 hours.
What you need to provide
- Meeting time (specifying Beijing or Türkiye time)
- Meeting platform and link
- Agenda and related materials
- Stable internet and a clear microphone
Set the time, test the connection, go live online
- 1
Set the time
Tell us the meeting time (with time zone), platform and duration. As there is a time difference between Türkiye and Beijing, always specify the time zone. For regular meetings, you can book several sessions at once.
- 2
Interpreter confirmation
An interpreter is assigned and the quotation approved, and you send us the meeting link. If an interpretation channel will be set up on the platform, give the interpreter the necessary permissions. We agree the interpreter's display name together.
- 3
Materials and testing
Materials are shared in advance and a connection test is carried out if needed. Presentations can be sent to the interpreter beforehand or shown via screen sharing during the meeting. For a first collaboration, we recommend a connection test.
- 4
Online interpreting
The interpreter joins on time and interprets throughout the meeting. If the connection drops, the interpreter reaches you through a backup channel. After the meeting, a summary of the main points is provided on request.
Frequently asked questions
Is remote interpreting as good as on-site interpreting?
With good internet and audio quality, the result is close to on-site interpreting. However, for negotiations where body language matters or complex site environments, we still recommend on-site interpreting. Headset and microphone quality has a major impact on the success of remote interpreting.
How is the time difference handled?
Türkiye uses UTC+3 all year round; Beijing time is 5 hours ahead of Türkiye. Mornings in Türkiye coincide with afternoons in China, when the two sides' working hours overlap most. We suggest a suitable time based on both sides' working hours, and early morning or evening slots can also be arranged.
Is it possible for a call of just a few minutes?
Yes. Short phone or WeChat video interpreting usually has a minimum billing period, which is stated in the quotation. For frequent short needs, a monthly package can be considered.
Is the meeting recorded?
The interpreter does not record on their own initiative. If you want a recording or video archive, let us know in advance and inform all participants in line with the platform's rules. If the personal data of Turkish employees or customers is involved, personal data protection rules must also be observed.
What if the Turkish side does not want to use Tencent Meeting?
Turkish companies mostly use Zoom, Teams or Google Meet, and sometimes WhatsApp video calls. We can recommend a platform both sides are comfortable with. If the Chinese side can only use Chinese platforms, we help the Turkish side test the download and login process in advance.
Can a remote factory inspection replace an on-site visit?
Remote inspection is suitable for gathering preliminary information and regular follow-up, but many details cannot be seen, such as the overall condition of the production area, the texture of materials and site management. For large purchases or a first collaboration, we still recommend an on-site visit. A remote call can be used as a screening tool before an on-site visit.
Should online meetings use simultaneous or consecutive interpreting?
For meetings with few participants that focus on discussion, consecutive interpreting is usually simpler and more reliable. For large meetings focused on presentations or training, simultaneous can be considered if the platform supports interpretation channels. For simultaneous, two interpreters usually work in rotation.
Tell us what you need in Türkiye
Our Chinese-speaking consultant reviews it for free and gives you a clear price and timeline.
