Press Release
Renowned writer Yan Lianke named 2025 Distinguished Chinese Writer of HKBU Chinese Writers’ Workshop
Tuesday, 21 October 2025
The Chinese Writers’ Workshop (CWW) at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) will host its “Distinguished Chinese Writers Series 2025” (DCWS) on 12 and 13 November. Mr Yan Lianke, internationally acclaimed contemporary writer from the Chinese Mainland, will visit HKBU to deliver a literary public lecture and a writing masterclass to share his literary insights with readers. Both activities are free and open to the public.
Established in 2020 with the generous sponsorship of the Tin Ka Ping Foundation, CWW is dedicated to promoting contemporary Chinese literature and culture to society, the Nation, and the world, showcasing their diversity and richness. Every autumn, HKBU invites a distinguished Chinese writer to visit HKBU.
Mr Yan Lianke’s works are renowned for their profound social insight and unique narrative style. He adeptly employs imaginative, surreal imagery and allegorical narratives that explore historical periods and contemporary social issues. His major works include The Passage of Time, Hard Like Water, Lenin's Kisses, Dream of Ding Village, The Four Books, The Explosion Chronicles and The Day The Sun Died.
Mr Yan has garnered numerous accolades over the years. In 2014, he became the first Chinese writer to receive the Franz Kafka Prize, one of Europe’s most influential literary awards. His other accolades include the 1st and 2nd Lu Xun Literary Prizes, the 12th Huazong World Chinese Literature Award, and he was also three times longlisted or shortlisted for the International Booker Prize between 2012 and 2016. In 2016, he was honoured with the 6th Dream of the Red Chamber Award: The World’s Distinguished Novel in Chinese. In 2020, he was the recipient of the Award of “Books against Starvation” by Action contre la Faim. In 2021, he received the Newman Prize for Chinese Literature and the Royal Society of Literature International Writer. In 2022, he won the Lee Hochul Literary Prize for Peace. In 2024, he received the 14th Hsing Yun Global Chinese Literary Prize (Contribution Award).
Mr Yan’s works have been translated into more than 30 languages, with over 250 editions published internationally, making a profound impact worldwide.
In this year’s DCWS, Mr Yan will deliver a public lecture entitled “The Modernity of the Classical Novel Liaozhai Zhiyi” on 12 November to share his experience and insights into novel writing. He will also discuss how to establish the context of novels with the participants in his masterclass entitled “Towards a Truth Beyond Realism” on 13 November.
Further details of the events are available on CWW’s Facebook or Instagram page. Members of the public can call 3411 2875 or email fass_event@hkbu.edu.hk for enquiries. Those who are interested in attending the events, please register online through this link.
