The Courier Poet: Wang Jibing’s Literary Journey

In Kunshan, Jiangsu province, Wang Jibing finds moments to write poetry amidst his food delivery rounds. Recently, one of his collections earned him a Lu Xun Literature Prize in the poetry category, a prestigious literary award in China.

Wang, 56, has crafted over 5,000 poems during his eight years as a courier, covering nearly 100,000 miles. His poetry celebrates the quiet dignity of the working class, earning him the nickname ‘delivery poet.’

‘Flying’ at a Low Altitude

His third book, Low Altitude Flight, highlights his focus on the hopes and struggles of blue-collar workers, among China’s 10 million gig economy employees. Wang’s poetry questions conventional success, emphasizing perseverance despite challenges. In one poem, he writes, “Who says spreading your wings means flying high? Flying low is also flying.”

Without glossing over life’s hardships, Wang’s works celebrate resilience and encourage readers to pursue passions. He writes, “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.”

To create Low Altitude Flight, Wang interviewed over 140 delivery workers, aiming to portray the industry’s daily realities. “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 shared with China Media Publishers’ Daily. “I long to do something meaningful.”

Although the award has brought more recognition, Wang stays humble. He told the Global Times, “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.”

Wang plans to continue working as a courier until he turns 60. He said, “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.” His earlier collections include The Person in a Hurry and I Clumsily Love This World.

What Is the Lu Xun Literature Prize?

Presented every four years by the China Writers Association, the Lu Xun Literature Prize is a top honor in Chinese literature, recognizing excellence in poetry, essays, literary criticism, translation, and short stories. The prize honors Lu Xun (1881-1936), considered the father of modern Chinese literature, and has traditionally been awarded to established writers.

The current prize amount is undisclosed, but reports state the 2014 prize was 100,000 yuan (around $14,800). Newsweek contacted the China Writers Association for details.