LHASA, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Translation has begun on the Tibetan version of China Encyclopedia, which will be the third ethnic minority language edition of the comprehensive encyclopedia.

The translation is estimated to be completed in five years, according to Cedain Zhaxi, head of the Tibetology studies institute of the University of Tibet.

Translation and publication of the Tibetan version will be jointly carried out by the university and the Tibet Autonomous Region's press and publication authorities.

More than ten people, mostly teachers, postgraduates and researchers, have started translation and more translators will join, according to Cedain Zhaxi, who is in charge of the translation project.

The Tibetan edition of the Encyclopedia of China will significantly enrich the glossary of the Tibetan language, said Cedain Zhaxi. Hundreds of vocabulary items in philosophy, foreign literature and world geography in the encyclopedia have no corresponding Tibetan expressions, he added.

In 2011, China started translation of the encyclopedia into the Uygur and Kazakh languages.

The translation has long been expected by people of different ethnic groups in Tibet, he said, adding that "the Tibetan language is developing and progressing."

The Tibetan version will be distributed among schools and libraries in cities, monasteries and rural areas, he said.

Published in 2009, the second edition of the China Encyclopedia consists of 32 volumes and 60,000 items.