Wang Jibing, a 56‑year‑old food‑delivery rider from Jiangsu, surprised China by winning the Lu Xun Literary Prize for his collection “Low Flight”, a set of poems written on the go and inspired by everyday challenges on the job.
The Lu Xun Prize is one of China’s most prestigious literary awards, named after the father of modern Chinese literature. Winners receive a large monetary award—about 100,000 yuan in recent years—though the exact figure is often kept confidential.
Wang’s poems were originally posted on social media over the past decade, gaining traction when his verse “Man in a Hurry” went viral in 2022 after he described a frustrating delivery over a wrong address. That year he published his first poetry collection titled “Man in a Hurry: Poems of a Food Delivery Rider.”
In 2024, “Low Flight” was published; it draws on interviews with around 200 delivery riders and surveys of the gig workforce. The collection offers raw insight into the pressures and rhythms of China’s massive delivery sector.
When the award was announced, Wang told Global Times he felt nervous but relieved once the news broke, noting the media attention added mental pressure. He said he has no intention of quitting his job, planning to continue delivering until he turns 60. “I love this rhythm; it keeps me fit, and the award won’t change who I am,” he said.
Wang’s victory comes amid a growing number of blue‑collar voices gaining literary acclaim. Notable examples include Hu Anyan’s bestseller memoir “I Deliver Parcels in Beijing” (2023) and Fan Yusu’s autobiographical essay “I am Fan Yusu” (2017), both of which swept China’s internet and garnered international attention.
