A 56-year-old Chinese food courier, Wang Jibing, has been named the winner of China’s Lu Xun Literature Prize in poetry.

Mr Jibing, who was born in Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, won the ninth edition of the literary prize in the poetry category, last Wednesday, with his award-winning collection titled ‘Low Altitude Flight’.

The poet, who became a food delivery rider in 2019, said his creativity was inspired by the pressure and struggles faced by workers in China’s fast-paced gig economy.

“I held my breath and felt extremely nervous, but when the results were announced, everything became calm,” Mr Jibing said in an interview with state-run news outlet Global Times. “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. 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,” he said.

Mr Jibing, also known as the “delivery poet”, said his collection, published in 2024, was inspired by interviews and surveys with nearly 200 delivery riders.

The Lu Xun Literature Prize, organised by the China Writers Association and awarded every four years, was established to honour Lu Xun, who is considered the father of modern Chinese literature.