Bestselling novelist Liu Zhenyun has received the 18th Hua Zong World Chinese Literature Award, presented on October 24 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This biennial award, established in 1991 by the World Chinese Media Group, honors significant contributions to Chinese-language literature by writers worldwide.
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The award jury commended Liu for his “wry humor and distinctive narrative structures,” emphasizing how his work reveals deeper truths within everyday stories. They highlighted the intellectual depth and artistic tension in his writing, noting his important role in promoting Chinese literature to global audiences.
During his acceptance speech, Liu expressed gratitude to the jury and shared his insights on literary creation, stating, “Literature needs to be redefined. With every work an author writes, they need to invent literature and give it a new definition. Invention is limitless. I will do my best to write my next work well.”
The jury, comprised of editors from seven Chinese-language publications within the World Chinese Media Group, selected Liu by majority vote. His works have developed an extensive international readership and have been translated into more than 30 languages, including English, French, German, and Spanish.
Liu Zhenyun will be featured in a discussion in London on October 29, alongside Rebecca Liu, Culture Editor at The Guardian and a judge for the 2026 Booker Prize, to talk about his latest novel, The Last Laugh. Additionally, he will participate in the Sharjah International Book Fair on November 6, where he will engage in conversation with Sudanese novelist Hammour Ziada.