Lu Xun Literary Prize
A food delivery rider from Jiangsu province, Wang Jibing, has won China’s Lu Xun Literary Prize for his poetry collection Low Flight, which captures the struggles of gig economy workers. The 56-year-old, who began delivering food in 2019, gained social media attention for his work, which he wrote during breaks between deliveries.
Wang Jibing
Wang’s win marks a rare moment for a blue-collar worker in China’s literary scene, where his poems—some scribbled on scraps of paper—reflect the pressures of gig economy labor. The Lu Xun Literary Prize, named after the 20th-century writer regarded as the father of modern Chinese literature, did not disclose the monetary award, though historical data from 2014 listed it at 100,000 yuan ($14,800; £11,000). Lu Xun, whose works have found renewed resonance among the younger generation, is widely considered one of China’s greatest 20th-century writers, known for using satirical novels to critique traditional Chinese society. A few years ago, Kong Yiji, a character from his novel, became a meme symbolizing disillusionment among Chinese youth struggling to find jobs.
Man in a Hurry
A Life Shaped by Hardship and Poetry
Low Flight
Wang, born in Jiangsu province, left school as a teenager due to financial hardship. He worked odd jobs, including construction and scavenging, before becoming a food delivery rider. Despite these challenges, his love for reading persisted, and over the past decade, he posted poems and essays online. His 2022 poem Man in a Hurry, inspired by a frustrating delivery incident in 2019, went viral, leading to the 2023 publication of his first poetry collection, Man in a Hurry: Poems of a Food Delivery Rider.
One line from the collection—Who says spreading your wings means flying high? Flying low is also flying
—has resonated with readers. The poem reflects his perspective on labor, where dignity is found in persistence rather than prestige.
The Prize and Its Impact
Wang’s victory was announced on 15 July, though he told state media outlet Global Times that the attention had created a lot of mental pressure. I held my breath and felt extremely nervous… Once it was revealed, everything was settled,
Wang said, adding that the media attention around him had created a lot of mental pressure. Despite the recognition, he plans to continue working as a delivery rider until age 60. Financially I don’t need this job to make a living, but I love the vibe of the work and it keeps me fit,
he said.
The Lu Xun Literary Prize, established to honor writers who critique societal issues, has seen a shift in recent years toward recognizing non-traditional voices. Wang’s win follows similar attention for other blue-collar authors, such as Hu Anyan, whose 2023 memoir I Deliver Parcels in Beijing became a bestseller, and Fan Yusu, whose 2017 essay I am Fan Yusu sparked widespread online discussion. An English translation of Hu’s memoir was published last year. Fan’s essay led to her temporarily leaving her home amid endless media requests.
Why This Matters: The Rise of Working-Class Literature
Wang’s story highlights a growing trend in China: the literary acknowledgment of working-class experiences. His poems, written during the pauses of a demanding job, offer a raw, unfiltered view of gig economy life. This contrasts with traditional literary narratives, which often focus on urban elites or historical themes.
While Wang has no plans to quit his job, his story has already sparked conversations about labor conditions and the role of art in marginalized communities. The Lu Xun Prize’s decision to honor a delivery rider may signal a broader recognition of voices previously overlooked in China’s literary landscape.
However, questions remain. How will this recognition affect other gig workers seeking creative outlets? And will institutions like the Lu Xun Prize continue to prioritize such stories? For now, Wang’s journey stands as a testament to resilience—and a reminder that literature can emerge from the most unexpected places.
Worth a look
