Lijia Zhang (Chinese: 张丽佳; pinyin: Zhāng Lìjiā; born May 12, 1964, in Nanjing) is a rocket-factory-worker turned Chinese writer, columnist and public speaker. She describes herself as a communicator between China and the world[1] and has given talks at conferences and institutions about contemporary China. She has lectured at many universities around the world including Stanford University, Harvard University, Columbia University, New York University in the U.S., Monash University, the University of Sydney in Australia, and Leeds and Nottingham University in England.[2]
Lijia Zhang 张丽佳 | |
|---|---|
 Zhang at the British Library in 2023 | |
| Born | May 12, 1964 Nanjing, China |
| Occupation | Writer, journalist, public speaker |
| Nationality | Chinese |
| Education | Goldsmiths, University of London (MA) |
| Period | 1999 – present |
| Literary movement | Memoir |
| Notable works | "Socialism Is Great!": A Worker's Memoir of the New China |
| Website | |
| zhanglijia | |
Early life and education
editZhang was born into a poor worker’s family in Nanjing, yet she dreamed to become a writer. At the age of 16, she was dragged out of school and began working in a military factory that produced inter-continental missiles. During the decade at the factory she taught herself English. [3] In 2003, she was able to attend Goldsmiths, University of London, where she earned a master's degree in creative writing. [4]
Career
editHer articles have been published in many newspapers and magazines, including South China Morning Post, The Japan Times, The Independent, The Guardian, Newsweek, and the New York Times. [5] She comments on China’s social and political changes, with a keen interest in gender issues. She co-authored China Remembers (OUP, 1999) and her memoir "Socialism Is Great!": A Worker's Memoir of the New China,[6] was published by Atlas & Co. and Random House and has been published in eleven countries. During the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, she served as a producer for the BBC crew reporting the games. She was the subject of a BBC TV documentary Peschardt's People. Sponsored by the United States Department of State, she was a fellow on the University of Iowa's International Writing Program in 2009.[7] Her first novel, Lotus, about prostitution set in modern day Shenzhen, was published in 2017 by MacMillan.[8]
In 2018, she was given Mulan Award in England for her contribution to arts and literature. [9] She is a regular guest on ABC, BBC and CNN.
Personal life
editZhang was married to Calum MacLeod, a British reporter for USA Today. In 2018, she moved from Beijing to London with her two daughters.[10][11]
References
edit- ^ Barnes, Nicole E. (June 10, 2008). "China Annals: Interview with Lijia Zhang". The China Beat. Retrieved October 13, 2020 – via Blogger.
- ^ ""Socialism is Great!": From Rocket Factory Girl to International Media". ceas.stanford.edu. Stanford Center for East Asian Studies. October 27, 2009. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
- ^ Kahn, Joseph (April 13, 2008). "Party Girl". The New York Times. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
- ^ "A window into the new China: Lijia Zhang's 'Lotus' « Amitav Ghosh". Retrieved December 10, 2020.
- ^ Zhang, Lijia (May 7, 2024). "Not a good look: China should turn away from too much facial recognition". South China Morning Post. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
- ^ Zhang, Lijia (April 17, 2008). "Socialism Is Great!": A Worker's Memoir of the New China: Lijia Zhang: 9780977743377. Atlas and Company. ISBN 978-0977743377.
- ^ "2009 IWP Participants". iwp.uiowa.edu. University of Iowa. 2009. Archived from the original on October 9, 2009. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
- ^ Zimmerman, Jean (January 11, 2017). "Lijia Zhang". NPR. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
- ^ "Lijia Zhang". Retrieved May 7, 2024.
- ^ Zhang, Lijia. "About". lijiazhang.com. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016.
- ^ "Zhang Lijia moves to London – China Speakers Bureau". April 25, 2018. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
External links
edit- Interview with Lijia Zhang, The Beijinger, March 10, 2008
- Writer and journalist Lijia Zhang, ABC, 5 September 2008
- Profile at China Speakers Agency