Food Delivery Rider Wins China’s Top Literary Prize

A food delivery rider has won one of China’s most prestigious literary awards, earning widespread praise for transforming his experiences navigating city streets into an acclaimed work of fiction that resonated with readers and critics alike.

The author, who continues to work as a delivery rider, received the country’s top literary honour for a novel depicting the challenges, aspirations and daily struggles of workers in China’s fast-growing gig economy. Judges praised the work for its vivid storytelling and authentic portrayal of ordinary people’s lives.

The award marks a rare recognition for a writer from outside China’s traditional literary establishment and has been celebrated as a milestone for working-class voices in contemporary Chinese literature. Literary critics said the novel captures the pressures faced by millions of delivery workers balancing demanding schedules, economic uncertainty and the rapid pace of urban life.

The author said his experiences delivering food across Chinese cities provided the inspiration for many of the book’s characters and themes. He described writing during breaks between deliveries and late at night after finishing work, saying he hoped the novel would give greater visibility to people whose stories are often overlooked.

China’s food delivery sector has expanded rapidly over the past decade, employing millions of riders who have become an essential part of daily life in major cities. The industry has also drawn attention over working conditions, long hours, safety concerns and the pressures created by digital platforms and delivery deadlines.

The literary prize has sparked discussion on Chinese social media, where many users praised the recognition of grassroots experiences and said the award reflected a growing appreciation for stories about ordinary workers. Analysts noted that the victory highlights changing trends in Chinese literature, with increasing interest in narratives rooted in everyday life rather than traditional elite perspectives.

The award is expected to boost sales of the novel and introduce the author’s work to a broader national audience, reinforcing the role of literature in documenting the social and economic changes reshaping modern China.