MCLC |

Zhu Wei, arts critic and essayist, was born in Shanghai. He started writing as an educated youth in Heilongjiang in the 1970s and on his return to Beijing in 1978 got his first break working as journalist and editor for China Youth. He became Deputy Chief Editor of People’s Literature in 1983, and, as editor in charge of the Arts section, promoted and encouraged new writers such as Liu Suola, Ah Cheng, Mo Yan, Yu Hua and Su Tong. It was at Zhu Wei’s house that Yu Hua first met Su Tong, who later commented on the meeting, ‘It felt as though here, at last, were my friends.’

Zhu Wei continued to champion new writers in his Readers Magazine column ‘New Writers at a Glance’. His appointment in 1995 as Chief Editor of Sanlian Life, has allowed him to consolidate this role as cultural commentator.

His recent book ‘On Quality’ is a collection articles and essays from the Sanlian column of the same name; a personal commentary on contemporary culture of the last few decades. Running through these observations is a belief that the quality of our cultural and inner life is fundamental to our wellbeing.