Food delivery rider wins China’s top literary prize
Wang Jibing, who began hand‑delivering food in 2019, has turned his everyday experiences into a triumphant literary voice. His 2024 collection Low Flight – a lyrical chronicle of the struggles faced by delivery riders – was awarded the Lu Xun Literary Prize, the country’s highest literary honour, named after the celebrated modernist writer Lu Xun.
The collection drew from interviews and surveys of roughly 200 riders, weaving their stories into poems that punctuate the city’s neon backdrop. One of its lines, "Who says spreading your wings means flying high? Flying low is also flying," resonated across China’s social media, reinforcing Wang’s reputation as a relatable voice for the gig economy.
Wang, 56, left school as a teenager due to family hardship, then held various odd jobs before becoming a food delivery rider. While he never earned enough to retire, he persisted in writing, posting excerpts on platforms such as WeChat and Douyin. A 2022 piece, "Man in a Hurry," captured national attention after it described a frustrating delivery during a snowstorm.
Despite the award and the media spotlight, Wang insists he will keep delivering food until he turns 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 told the state‑run Global Times in July.
His win is part of a broader trend elevating blue‑collar workers in China’s literary canon. Hu Anyan’s memoir I Deliver Parcels in Beijing (2023) topped bestseller lists, while Fan Yusu’s 2017 autobiographical essay about migrant life went viral. These works highlight the shifting cultural narrative that embraces stories from everyday workers.
The Lu Xun Literary Prize, named after the father of modern Chinese literature, has occasionally drawn attention for its monetary award of 100,000 yuan (about $14,800). The latest prize has not released its financial details publicly, but Wang’s acknowledgment of the honour underscores the growing recognition of non‑traditional art forms in China’s cultural landscape.
