On the evening of August 28, the 9th Lu Xun Literary Prize ceremony took place in Shanghai. Hainan-based poet Jiang Fei won the poetry award for his collection The Earth Grows All Night for All Creation (originally titled in Chinese as 《大地为万物彻夜生长》). He is only the second writer from Hainan to receive this honor—following Han Shaogong—and the province's first to win in the poetry category.

The award ceremony. (Photo provided by the organizers)

Hosted by the China Writers Association, the Lu Xun Literary Prize is awarded every four years and stands as one of the most prestigious honors in Chinese literature. This year, 35 writers were recognized across various categories.

The award ceremony. (Photo provided by the organizers)

During the ceremony, Jiang shared his core motivations. "I write poetry because I love the land I've worked in and the people who live on it; I write because I love this earth that belongs to all of humanity," he said, adding that he hopes his work will continue to offer readers a sense of spiritual comfort.

Jiang Fei delivers his acceptance speech. (Photo provided by the organizers)

The award-winning collection features over 140 poems written between 1999 and 2024, with several pieces drawing directly on his life in Hainan. Originally from Shandong province, Jiang relocated to the tropical province 18 years ago. He credits Hainan's natural landscapes and cultural atmosphere for leaving a lasting imprint on his work. "Nature is a dominant force here, allowing people to look into their own essence through its raw, unfiltered state. The genuine warmth of the local people is also deeply moving. The insights I've gathered here have settled deep within my soul and continuously shape my writing," he explained.

Jiang Fei’s award-winning poetry collection, The Earth Grows All Night for All Creation. (Photo by Wei Maojin / Hainan Daily)

Beyond his own writing, Jiang serves as vice chairman of the Hainan Writers Association and director of the Hainan Institute of Literature. Driven by the association in recent years, Hainan has hosted a series of dynamic events—such as a symposium on modern maritime literature and the Wuzhishan Ecological Literature Week held this year—creating a vibrant platform for local writers