Full Breakdown
Delivery Rider Wins China’s Prestigious Lu Xun Literary Prize
7/20/2026, 8:35:11 AM
Wang Jibing’s Lu Xun Prize Win
Wang Jibing, a 56-year-old food-delivery rider who began working for a delivery platform in 2019, was announced as a recipient of the Lu Xun Literary Prize on 15 July 2024. His 2024 poetry collection *Low Flight*—drawn from interviews and surveys of roughly 200 fellow riders—depicts the everyday pressures of China’s gig economy. The award, named for the early-20th-century writer Lu Xun, carries a monetary component that was 100,000 yuan ($14,800) as of 2014, though current figures are not disclosed.
From Streets to Stanzas: Wang’s Journey
Born in Jiangsu province, Wang left school as a teenager due to family hardship and held jobs in construction, waste scavenging, and street-stall vending before becoming a courier. Despite limited formal education, he maintained a love of reading and began posting poems and essays on social media. A 2022 poem, “Man in a Hurry,” went viral after recounting a misdirected delivery. In 2023 he released the collection *Man in a Hurry: Poems of a Food Delivery Rider*, and in 2024 followed with *Low Flight*. He says he intends to keep working until age 60, citing the job’s rhythm and fitness benefits.
Blue-Collar Voices in Contemporary Chinese Literature
Wang’s recognition reflects a broader trend of working-class authors gaining literary prominence. Hu Anyan’s 2023 memoir *I Deliver Parcels in Beijing* became a bestseller, and the 2017 essay *I am Fan Yusu* sparked massive online attention, prompting the author to retreat from media scrutiny. Lu Xun’s satirical critique of traditional society now resonates with younger generations, with his character Kong Yiji turning into a meme symbolising youth disillusionment over employment prospects.
Official Reactions and Prize Details
State media outlet Global Times reported Wang’s nervous anticipation of the announcement and his desire to remain “down-to-earth.” The prize’s financial award remains undisclosed, but historical data indicate a 100,000-yuan prize in 2014. No government officials offered additional commentary.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I held my breath and felt extremely nervous… Once it was revealed, everything was settled,” — Wang Jibing, Global Times interview, 15 July 2024
- “Financially I don't need this job to make a living, but I love the vibe of the work and it keeps me fit,” — Wang Jibing, Global Times interview
- “I want a down-to-earth life and the award will never change who I am.” — Wang Jibing, Global Times interview
- “Who says spreading your wings means flying high? Flying low is also flying,” — line from *Low Flight*
- “Lu Xun, whom the literary prize is named after, is widely considered one of China's greatest 20th century writers, known for using satirical novels to critique traditional Chinese society.” — BBC commentary
This award underscores the growing literary platform for China’s gig-economy workers and signals a cultural shift toward valuing narratives from the nation’s blue-collar population.
