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E-mail China.org.cn, May 23, 2024
In 1904, an anonymous author using the pen name Huangjiang Diaosou, literally "Old Fisherman by a Deserted River," wrote a story entitled "Tales of the Moon Colony." This is widely regarded as China's first science fiction work, marking the birth of Chinese sci-fi.
A photo captures the opening of the 15th Chinese Nebula Awards gala in Chengdu, Sichuan province, May 18, 2024. [Photo courtesy of EV/SFM]
However, the story was left unfinished. Now, 120 years later, China's sci-fi mogul Dong Renwei, via his company Time Vision, has launched an initiative to solicit contributions from contemporary writers to complete the novel. The editing of the collected works has been completed and the book will be published this year, Dong told China.org.cn.
Last weekend, the Chinese science fiction community celebrated the 120th anniversary of the genre's birth in China, along with the 15th anniversary of the country's top sci-fi award, the Chinese Nebula Awards. This milestone was used as an opportunity to reflect on the past and envision the future of Chinese science fiction development.
Another book, titled "Historical Recounts of Chinese Nebula Awards," was also compiled and launched on May 18 to mark the anniversary. It collects memories from more than 90 Chinese sci-fi writers, including Liu Cixin, author of "The Three-Body Problem," detailing their personal experiences and interactions with the awards.
Editor and publisher representatives pose with the book "Historical Recounts of Chinese Nebula Awards" at the award's 15th anniversary celebration event in Chengdu, Sichuan province, May 18, 2024. [Photo courtesy of EV/SFM]
"This is a historical record of a group of Chinese idealists who are consciously contributing to the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through their struggles and hard work in order to realize the grand vision of 'New Sci-Fi Rises from the East,'" said Shi Yi, one of the chief editors of the book.
The Chinese Nebula Awards, a top international award for sci-fi writers and works in the Chinese language, were founded by Chinese sci-fi heavyweights Dong Renwei, Yao Haijun, and Wu Yan in Chengdu, Sichuan province, in 2010. "Our original aspiration is to establish a home for Chinese-speaking sci-fi enthusiasts and promote the development of Chinese science fiction," Dong said.
The inaugural edition of the Chinese Nebula Awards was held inside a small movie theater with a modest budget, marking the humble beginning of a great endeavor. In subsequent years, the organizers continued to face various challenges, including struggles to secure sponsorship, but they also received assistance from different sectors of society.
Things began to change as the Chinese sci-fi industry experienced a rapid leap over the past 15 years, noted Yao Haijun, deputy editor-in-chief of Science Fiction World magazine. Iconic events included Liu Cixin winning the Hugo Award for his aforementioned epic opus "The Three-Body Problem" and the release of the box office juggernaut "The Wandering Earth," based on a novella of Liu's, in 2019. These successes greatly attracted more people and attention to the sci-fi world. In recent years, various government departments and localities have also issued numerous supportive policies for China's sci-fi development and filmmaking.
Business partners launch a "Three-Body"-themed liquor at the 15th Chinese Nebula Awards gala held in Chengdu, Sichuan province, May 18, 2024. [Photo courtesy of EV/SFM]
Gan Weikang, president of Eternal Vision Science Fiction Media Co., Hainan (EV/SFM), joined the cause in 2016 after a long conversation with Shi Yi in which he got to know more about China's sci-fi industry. He and his company have since become an important player in Chinese sci-fi and an organizer of the Chinese Nebula Awards.
"The establishment of this award has indeed laid a solid foundation for Chinese science fiction. It is not only a part of the 120-year history of Chinese science fiction, but I also believe it serves as a driving force for all of us to strive towards the future," Gan said.
The Chinese Nebula Awards now have found various partners and sponsors from different industries. On the morning of May 18, 167 individuals were honored with gold and silver medals for their contributions.
Notably, during this year's gala, Luzhou Laojiao, one of the four best-known liquor brands in China, received a special contribution award for its six consecutive years of sponsorship. The liquor company will also collaborate with EV/SFM and The Three-Body Universe to develop and launch a high-end baijiu, Guojiao 1573, featuring a remarkable design package themed around "The Three-Body Problem."
Writer and scholar Wu Yan, a professor at the Southern University of Science and Technology, believes that the award's years-long contributions to Chinese sci-fi include expanding its scope beyond just honoring literary works to include film, animation, non-fiction, and other cultural categories. It has also adopted a diverse development approach, expanded geographic boundaries to award individuals around the world, and transformed from a simple literature award into a systemic powerhouse promoting imagination and the creative economy.
A montage image is projected on a massive screen to revive memories during the 15th Chinese Nebula Awards gala in Chengdu, Sichuan province, May 18, 2024. [Photo/China.org.cn]
Though China's biggest sci-fi star, Liu Cixin, was absent this time due to an ongoing overseas tour, he sent a video to congratulate the event. "The Chinese Nebula Awards have become the authoritative awards recognized by the global Chinese sci-fi community. The pillar and emerging forces in Chinese sci-fi, with their continuous creation of high-quality works, support the development of science fiction in the modernization of China in a new era," he said. "Our goal is to reach a vast sea of stars, and our destination is beyond the stars."
