‘Courier Poet’ Wang Jibing Wins China’s Prestigious Lu Xun Literature Prize

On July 15, 2026, the China Writers Association announced the winners of the 9th Lu Xun Literature Prize, one of the nation’s highest literary honors. Among the 35 award-winning works across seven categories, the Poetry Award went to Wang Jibing, a 56-year-old food delivery rider whose collection “Flying Low” (《低处飞行》) has captured the public imagination and signaled a historic shift toward recognizing grassroots literary voices in China’s mainstream cultural establishment. The award ceremony is scheduled for August 2026 in Shanghai.

Background: The Lu Xun Literature Prize

Founded in 1997 and named after Lu Xun (1881–1936), the father of modern Chinese literature, the Lu Xun Literature Prize is awarded every four years by the China Writers Association. It is one of China’s four highest national literary awards, alongside the Mao Dun Literature Prize, the National Minority Literature Prize, and the National Outstanding Children’s Literature Prize. The 9th edition covers works published between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2025, with five winners selected in each of seven categories: Medium-length Fiction, Short Fiction, Reportage, Poetry, Essays, Literary Theory/Criticism, and Literary Translation, as reported by The Paper.

The ‘Courier Poet’: Wang Jibing’s Extraordinary Journey

Wang Jibing’s path to literary recognition is as remarkable as his poetry. Born in 1969 in Pizhou, Jiangsu Province, Wang left school after junior high and spent decades working manual jobs — construction, sand dredging, street vending, and waste collection. In 1992, his father burned his 200,000-character novel manuscript “Sunset Fate” (《夕阳缘》), fearing his son’s literary pursuits signaled mental instability. Wang buried his dream and continued working.

In 2019, at age 50, Wang became a food delivery rider in Kunshan, Jiangsu. He began writing poetry during the gaps between orders — while waiting at traffic lights, in elevators, or outside restaurant kitchens. His breakthrough came in July 2022 when his poem “People in a Hurry” (《赶时间的人》) went viral on social media, resonating with millions of Chinese workers navigating the pressures of the gig economy. According to ECNS, Wang has since published four poetry collections, with “Flying Low” first released in 2024 and scheduled for US publication in December 2026 by Chax Press.

A Win for Grassroots Literature

Wang’s victory represents more than a personal achievement. He is the first food delivery rider to win a national-level literary award in China, and his win underscores the growing recognition of “New Mass Literature” (新大众文艺) — literary works created by ordinary working people. The Global Times noted that alongside Wang, Chen Hui — a market stall vendor from Zhejiang — was also nominated, reflecting a broader shift toward valuing voices from non-elite backgrounds.

A theoretical work that won in the Literary Theory/Criticism category, “The Laborers Sing Their Own Songs” (《劳者歌其事》) by Zhuo Jin, explicitly addresses this phenomenon, asking fundamental questions about who writes literature and for whom.

Wang Jibing in His Own Words

Speaking to Xinhua Daily via The Paper, Wang reflected on his philosophy: “The greater mission of life lies in taking root… When we begin to take root, like blades of grass with tenacity; when we join together to form a prairie, that is called vastness. We are extraordinary because we are ordinary.”

On the prospect of being forgotten, Wang remained philosophical: “I will certainly be forgotten one day. Even if people change my label or tear it off, I will accept it. When there’s help, seize the opportunity to fly forward; when there’s no help, walk forward on my own. Go as far as I can.”

His mother’s motto — “Stand facing the wind even if you freeze to death” (冻死迎风站) — has been a guiding force throughout his life.

International Recognition and What’s Next

Wang’s poetry has already begun reaching international audiences. His poem was published in The Baffler, a New York-based literary magazine, and his collection “Flying Low” is set for US publication in December 2026. Wang joined the China Writers Association in 2025, visited the United States, and appeared on the CCTV Spring Festival Gala — a testament to how far his verses have carried him.

As Wang himself put it: “Some say life is short, and running can make it seem a little longer. I still want to continue being that person in a hurry, making literature a way of life, running poetically on the road of picking up and delivering orders.”

Analysis: A Changing Literary Landscape

The inclusion of Wang Jibing and other grassroots nominees signals a notable opening of China’s literary establishment. Traditionally seen as a competition for professional writers with formal literary training, the Lu Xun Literature Prize is now recognizing authors whose work emerges directly from lived experience. This shift parallels blue-collar writing traditions in the West while reflecting a distinctly Chinese cultural moment — one where the stories of those who “fly low” are increasingly finding their place alongside more elevated perspectives.

The award ceremony in Shanghai this August will formally honor Wang and the other 34 winners, cementing the 9th Lu Xun Literature Prize as a milestone in the democratization of Chinese literary recognition.