China’s science fiction genre has come full circle, from near-banishment to being embraced both by the government and the public.
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This transformation was exemplified by the recent hosting of Worldcon, the world’s most prominent science fiction gathering, in China for the first time.

The event took place in the newly opened Chengdu Science Fiction Museum, where it was evident that the star of the show was Liu Cixin, renowned for his “Three-Body” series, which has garnered international acclaim and inspired the blockbuster “Wandering Earth.”

Beyond the glitz and glamour, Chinese science fiction serves as a unique platform for diverse voices and an exploration of a wide range of issues, including social, environmental, and sometimes even political topics.

“In its nature, part of sci-fi is talking about the present,” says award-winning author Chen Qiufan. “It takes advantage of talking about outer space or being set in different times but reflects the human condition right now.”

Chen’s own novel, “The Waste Tide,” paints a dystopian future of e-waste laborers exploited by corrupt conglomerates, drawing from his experiences growing up near Guiyu, one of the world’s largest e-waste dumps.

The genre delves into ecological destruction, urbanization, social inequality, gender, and corruption, offering a lens through which to understand the complexities of Chinese society.

Historically, Chinese authorities had a tumultuous relationship with science fiction, with its suppression during the Cultural Revolution and subsequent banishment in the 1980s as “spiritual pollution.”

Writer Regina Kanyu Wang recalled that sci-fi was scarcely taken seriously and was often seen as children’s literature, which allowed authors greater freedom to explore their imaginations.

However, the global success of the “Three-Body” series catapulted Chinese science fiction into the spotlight, as it began to address themes resonating with the technological age. The rapid pace of digital change in China and the ubiquity of technology in daily life have further driven the genre’s relevance.

China’s government has recognized the potential of science fiction as a vehicle for promoting the country’s technological and scientific strength, as well as its connection to the “Chinese dream,” an aspirational slogan of the Xi era.

While this newfound attention offers opportunities for Chinese authors, it also brings potential risks, with works subject to scrutiny and sometimes censorship.

The Chengdu Science Fiction Museum, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects and completed in record time, now stands as a testament to China’s commitment to the genre. It not only reflects China’s openness to the world but also symbolizes the evolution and increasing prominence of science fiction in the country.

The successful hosting of Worldcon 2023 and the establishment of the Chengdu Science Fiction Museum signal a promising future for Chinese science fiction, bridging the past, present, and future in an inspiring way.
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