In brief
In an unexpected twist, a 56‑year‑old food delivery rider from Jiangsu province has won China’s most prestigious literary prize. Wang Jibing’s collection, "Low Flight", captures the highs and lows of gig‑work life and has resonated with millions online. Despite the honor, he plans to keep delivering food for decades, saying the award won’t change his humble, down‑to‑earth lifestyle. His win highlights a growing trend of blue‑collar writers who use verse to voice the challenges of modern China.
Wang Jibing, 56, once an ordinary food‑delivery rider, has stunned the literary world by taking home China’s Lu Xun Literary Prize. His collection, titled Low Flight, was born from the everyday adventures and frustrations he’s experienced on the city streets.
The poems, some penned on the fly between deliveries, offer a raw look at the gig economy’s pressures. From grueling hours chasing misaddressed orders to moments of quiet reflection on a scooter under neon lights, Wang’s verses echo the voices of thousands of blue‑collar workers.
In 2022, one of his poems, “Man in a Hurry”, went viral after detailing a 2019 delivery mishap. By 2023 he released his first full poetry book, which has now earned him an award traditionally reserved for Beijing’s literary elite.
Despite a generous prize—reportedly around 100,000 Yuan—Wang said he’ll keep delivering food. "I love the vibe of the work and it keeps me fit," he told the Global Times. "The award will never change who I am."
Wang’s triumph joins a wave of workers turning to creative outlets. Memoirs like I Deliver Parcels in Beijing and essays such as I am Fan Yusu have become bestsellers and sparked national conversations about the gig economy, identity, and the beauty of everyday life.
For younger readers, Wang’s story is a lesson that talent can find a stage anywhere—even on a food‑delivery scooter. It reminds us that one’s background doesn’t have to limit their dreams; the written word can be a bridge between the concrete streets and the world of literature.
