Wang Jibing: The Courier Poet Winning China’s Top Literary Prize

While making food deliveries in Kunshan, Jiangsu province, Wang Jibing takes moments to write poetry. His recent poetry collection earned him the Lu Xun Literature Prize last week, China’s leading award for literary achievement in the poetry category. At 56, Wang has written more than 5,000 poems during his eight years as a courier, traversing almost 100,000 miles. His work resonates with the working class’s quiet strength, earning him the nickname ‘delivery poet.’

‘Flying’ at a Low Altitude

Wang’s third collection, Low Altitude Flight, continues the themes he is known for. It reflects on the dreams and challenges faced by blue-collar workers, including those in China’s expanding gig economy. “Who says spreading your wings means flying high? Flying low is also flying,” he writes in one poem.

Although Wang addresses life’s difficulties, his poetry celebrates resilience and inspires readers to persist and keep nurturing their interests. “As the old saying goes, eight or nine out of 10 things in life will disappoint us. We are always losing something. Yet whatever else we lose, we must not lose our passions. Passions lead to faith, and faith gives us strength,” he writes.

Wang interviewed over 140 delivery workers to prepare for Low Altitude Flight, aiming to authentically depict the industry’s daily life. “I believe the greatest value of writing may not be limited to expressing one’s own inner self, but being able to speak out for others,” he told China Media Publishers’ Daily. “I long to do something meaningful.”

Despite the recognition brought by the award, the “delivery poet” insists he will remain unchanged. “I want to live a down-to-earth life, and the award will never change who I am. I will keep writing and sharing ordinary people’s life stories through literature,” the Global Times quoted him as saying.

Regarding his job, Wang plans to continue working until he is 60. “Financially, I don’t need to do this job to make a living, but I love the vibe of the work and it keeps me fit,” he explained. Wang’s previous poetry collections include The Person in a Hurry and I Clumsily Love This World.

The Lu Xun Literature Prize

The Lu Xun Literature Prize, awarded every four years by the China Writers Association, is one of the nation’s most prestigious literary honors. It is recognized as the premier award for poetry, essays, literary criticism and translation, and short stories. Named after Lu Xun (1881–1936), known as the father of modern Chinese literature, it is usually awarded to established writers rather than grassroots ones.

The prize value of this year’s award has not been disclosed, but the 2014 edition offered 100,000 yuan (about $14,800). Newsweek sought comment from the China Writers Association via email.