Wang Jibing, a 56-year-old food delivery worker in China, has won one of the country’s most prestigious literary awards, the ‘Lu Xun Literary Prize’, for his collection of poems *Low Flight*. He wrote many of the poems in this book on scraps of paper in his spare time between food deliveries.
Wang became a food delivery rider around 2019 and his poems became popular on social media. His new book, *Low Flight*, focuses on the everyday difficulties, struggles and lives of delivery riders. Published in 2024, the book is based on conversations with nearly 200 delivery riders, presenting their stories and experiences through poetry.
Here is a line from one of his poems: “Who says spreading wings means only flying high? Flying low is also flying.”
Wang Jibing writes poems in his spare time; He often writes lines on his palm while waiting for delivery orders. Born in China’s Jiangsu province, Wang had to leave school at the age of 14 due to financial constraints. He then worked a variety of jobs – such as construction worker, scrap collector and roadside vendor – and eventually became a food delivery rider. However, his passion for reading and writing never diminished.
In 2022, his poem “Man in a Hurry” went viral on social media. The poem was inspired by an incident that happened to him while working as a delivery rider in Kunshan city of Jiangsu in 2019; A customer had entered the wrong address. To find the right address, Wang had to visit three apartment complexes and go up to the 18th floor. When they finally arrived with the food, the customer scolded them for being late. While returning home, he put his despair and suffering into words, which gave birth to his poem ‘Man in a Hari’. This poem went viral on social media and this was the beginning of his literary journey. Subsequently, in 2023, his first poetry collection, *Man in a Hurry: Poems of a Food Delivery Rider*, was published. There is a line from a poem in the book:
“Every common man running on the road has a small light in his hand. This light first shows us the way and then gradually illuminates the whole world.”
**Wang has written more than 6,000 poems**
Till now, he has written more than 6,000 poems. Many of his works have been published in prestigious literary magazines. “People may not remember me, but they will definitely remember the food delivery rider speeding past,” Wang says. This thinking inspired him to write a book on the lives of millions of delivery workers.
Wang says:
“I want people to be more understanding and patient with delivery riders after reading this book, so that the problems associated with them can be reduced.”
**Will not leave work despite getting award**
After winning the award, Wang told state media outlet *Global Times* that he was very nervous until news of his win broke. He said that getting too much media attention also created mental pressure. He made it clear that he would not leave work despite receiving the award; He intends to continue working as a food delivery rider until he is 60.
Wang said, “I don’t need this job anymore, but I love it. It keeps me active and fit. I want to live a grounded life, and this award won’t change that.” Worker-writers are getting recognition in China
Wang Jibing belongs to a new generation of ‘blue-collar workers’ who have gained recognition for their literary works in recent years. His works shed light on the difficulties, pressures and realities of life for the millions of people working in China’s booming ‘gig economy’. In 2023, former delivery worker Hu Anyan’s autobiography, “I Deliver Parcels in Beijing”, was published. The book became a bestseller in China and attracted attention abroad; Its English translation was also published last year. Similarly, in 2017, migrant worker Fan Yusu’s autobiographical article, “I Am Fan Yusu”, went viral on the Chinese internet. It received such an overwhelming response that fans had to leave their homes for a while to escape the constant media attention.
Lu Xun Award: China’s major literary honor
The ‘Lu Xun Literary Award’, given to Wang Jibing, is named after the great Chinese writer Lu Xun. He is considered the most influential Chinese writer of the 20th century. Through his satirical novels and stories, he criticized the shortcomings of traditional Chinese society and attacked many social ills.
