Grand Launch of World Chinese Literature in New York
The inaugural issue of the international literary journal World Chinese Literature, organized by the Chinese Writers Association of America (CWAA), was officially launched on October 18, 2025, at the Queens Library Theater in New York. The event included a ceremonial ribbon-cutting and a book giveaway.
This event was part of the International Forum of the 3rd International Chinese Original IP Film Festival, hosted by Ms. Shen Yimeng, the forum’s chief moderator. Nearly one hundred writers and experts attending the festival witnessed this historic moment.
In his speech, Dr. Li Xian, CWAA President and Editor-in-Chief of World Chinese Literature, explained: World Chinese Literature is currently an annual journal, with each issue containing approximately 250,000 words and focusing on a specific literary form. The inaugural issue, titled the “Micro-Drama Edition,” includes four micro-drama scripts of 60 episodes each, 23 story synopses with professional critiques from the “CWAA Cup: 1st Global Micro-Drama Literary Script Competition,” and four scholarly articles on micro-dramas written by senior researchers of the World Micro-Drama Research Association.
Six editorial board members, three CWAA members attending the festival, and several authors from the inaugural issue joined the stage to witness the launch of World Chinese Literature, marking a significant milestone in the journal’s debut.
At the launch ceremony, Ms. Cao Xiaodong, Secretary-General of the 3rd International Chinese Original IP Film Festival and renowned international film producer, said:
"Today, we witness the debut of World Chinese Literature, a joyous occasion for the field of Chinese-language literature. Its launch is not merely the birth of a publication, but also a new bridge connecting Chinese communities worldwide and carrying forward Chinese culture. I sincerely hope that World Chinese Literature will cultivate the fertile ground of written expression, gather the finest global Chinese-language creations, warm hearts with excellent works, and inspire reflection. May it blossom into a vibrant new flower in the garden of Chinese literature! I also look forward to more colleagues and readers paying attention, supporting it, and jointly writing a new chapter in Chinese-language literature."
Ms. Chen Ruilin, CWAA advisor and overseas Chinese literature critic, remarked:
"First, I have long hoped that North America would have such a magazine, one that facilitates exchange among writers worldwide. I also sincerely thank the Chinese Writers Association of America for accomplishing this remarkable endeavor. I congratulate this journal and wish it every success!"
Mr. Zhang Ci, author of the inaugural issue, Hollywood screenwriter, and producer, said:
"I am deeply impressed by Dr. Li Xian’s leadership and dedication. I have never met someone so tough and committed, producing such a professional journal. Winning awards is secondary—the launch of this magazine, as Ms. Chen and Ms. Cao have said, represents a transformative moment for North American Chinese literature. Now it is up to AI to turn these stories into films."
Due to time constraints, not all speakers on stage could deliver remarks. Dr. Li Xian, Editor-in-Chief, and Ms. Chen Xi, Director of the Queens Library, jointly lifted the red cloth covering the World Chinese Literature poster, bringing the launch ceremony to its climax and completing the book-giving ceremony. Amid enthusiastic applause, sixteen editorial board members and authors from the inaugural issue took a commemorative group photo on stage. With interactive participation from the audience, everyone together wished World Chinese Literature continued success and a brilliant future!
Amid the cheers and well-wishes, all 60 copies of World Chinese Literature purchased by the 3rd International Chinese Original IP Film Festival were quickly snapped up. Those who missed out expressed their regret, promising to purchase the journal on Amazon.
During the brief launch ceremony, Editor-in-Chief Dr. Li Xian, on behalf of the editorial board, thanked the festival organizers for facilitating the debut of World Chinese Literature at such a prominent moment.
In a post-event interview, Dr. Li explained:
"The inaugural issue is themed the ‘Micro-Drama Edition,’ reflecting the recent rapid rise of micro-dramas globally, which are highly condensed, cross-media, and carry a strong sense of the times. Through examining the unique value of micro-dramas in terms of media, structure, and narrative, we hope to provide a theoretical response to practice and help readers understand the characteristics and development prospects of micro-dramas as an emerging literary form."
She further introduced the strong advisory board of World Chinese Literature, composed of 23 experts in global Chinese-language literature, listed in Pinyin order:
Bai Yang – Professor, Jinan University; President, Chinese World Literature Society
Bai Shurong – Executive Editor-in-Chief, Wenzong Magazine, Hong Kong; Vice President, World Chinese Literature Federation
Chen Gongzhong – Professor, School of Humanities, Nanchang University; Honorary Vice President, Chinese World Literature Society
Chen Ruilin – Overseas Chinese literature critic; President, Euro-American Film and Television Association
Fan Luoping – Professor, School of Literature, Zhengzhou University
Jiang Shuzhuo – Professor, School of Literature, Jinan University; Former President, Guangdong Writers Association
Jiang Lin – Professor, Sichuan International Studies University; Editor-in-Chief, Asia-Pacific Journal
Jin Jin – Researcher, School of Literature, Zhejiang University; Editor-in-Chief, Chinese Literature and Culture Series
Jiang Shaochuan – Professor, School of Literature, Central China Normal University
Ling Dingnian – President, World Chinese Microfiction Research Association
Li Liang – Researcher, Jiangsu Academy of Social Sciences; Editor-in-Chief, World Chinese Literature Forum
Liang Lifang – Professor, University of Alberta; President, Canadian Chinese Writers Association
Liu Lirong – Professor, San Diego State University; Editor-in-Chief, Chinese Monthly (USA)
Wang Zongfa – Professor, School of Literature, Anhui University; Former Vice President, Anhui Association of Literary Critics
Wang Zuyou – Professor, Taizhou University; Former Dean, School of Foreign Languages, Taizhou University
Wang Hailan – Professor of Chinese, Nihon University; Former President, Japanese Chinese Writers Association
Yang Jilan – Former Vice President, Fujian Writers Association; Editor-in-Chief, Taiwan-Hong Kong Literature Anthology
Yan Xianghong (pen name Anjing) – Editor-in-Chief, European Chinese Literature Anthology
Zheng Nanchuan – Overseas Chinese literature critic; Former President, Chinese Writers Association of Quebec, Canada
Zhuang Weijie – President and Editor-in-Chief, Chinese Literature Journal
Zhang Feng – Harvard Yenching Library, Harvard China Culture Workshop
Zhang Juan – Professor, School of Humanities, Southeast University; Member, Chinese Novel Society
Zhang Yihong – President and Editor-in-Chief, Asia-Pacific Literature (Hong Kong)
The editorial team for this issue includes: Editor-in-Chief Li Xian, Deputy Editor Liu Yun, Managing Editors Zhong Mei and Liu Fei, Head of Digital Department Wen Hao, Head of Finance Tan Ruiqin, Head of Liaison Shi Deliang, Head of Art Department Owen Li Gee, and Head of Distribution Liu Yalan.
Chinese-language writers’ associations from around the world also sent congratulatory messages. Leaders including Zhang Aolie, President of the International New Immigrant Chinese Writers Society; Sun Dean, President of the World Chinese Writers Association; Chen Haoquan, Honorary President of the Chinese Writers Association of Canada; Meng Na, President of the European New Immigrant Chinese Writers Association; Hua Chun, President of the Japanese Chinese Women Writers Association; Wu Lingyi, President of the Australian Chinese Writers Association; Zhang Jinfan, Honorary President of the New South Wales Chinese Writers Association (Australia); Feng Yu, President of the Canada Greater China Writers Society; Sun Bo, President of the Canada China Writers Society; and Lin Denan and Liu Ruijin, Honorary Presidents of the Singapore Writers Association, all expressed high praise for the inaugural issue of World Chinese Literature.
Additionally, advisory board members of the CWAA—including Wang Zhiming, Lü Hong, Zeng Xiaowen, Guo Xi, Jia Fei, Li Fanyu, and Yu Huifen—sent congratulatory letters celebrating the association’s continued growth and achievements over the past decade.
In the foreword titled “Breaking New Ground on the Map of World Literature” of the inaugural issue, Dr. Li Xian, President of the Chinese Writers Association of America (CWAA) and Editor-in-Chief of World Chinese Literature, wrote:
"We are fully aware that founding a literary journal overseas is no easy task. The migration of language, the fluidity of culture, and limited resources make this endeavor inherently challenging. Yet we firmly believe that literature is a universal language that transcends borders and a long-term endeavor worthy of dedication. The realization of this cultural ideal would not be possible without the support and encouragement of friends from all walks of life who share a humanistic spirit and a commitment to public good."
She expressed special gratitude to the leaders of East West Bank and Vice President Ms. Yang Xia for their strong support of the inaugural issue. She also thanked experts and scholars from the global Chinese-language literary community for their moral encouragement, and the editorial board members who volunteered their professional knowledge and time.
"We hope that World Chinese Literature will serve not only as a platform for publishing texts but also as a space for ideas and cultural connection—engraving thoughts of the diaspora while responding to ties with the homeland; inspiring the joy of integration while documenting the shared flame of culture. We sincerely invite Chinese-language writers, literature enthusiasts, and scholars worldwide to join us, hand in hand, to break new ground on the map of world literature."
Finally, on October 18, 2025, the inaugural issue of World Chinese Literature, the “Micro-Drama Edition,” was officially launched in a grand ceremony in New York.
(Group photo of some editorial board members of World Chinese Literature. From right: Managing Editor Liu Fei, Head of Liaison Shi Deliang, Head of Digital Department Wen Hao, President & Editor-in-Chief Li Xian, Managing Editor Zhong Mei, Head of Distribution Liu Yalan.)
Click the video link to watch the full ceremony：https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV14vsCz1EE6/?vd_source=529e269d7cc6736762dc5717465ee641
Subscribe on Amazon：https://a.co/d/b5ouYJ4
Stay tuned for the 2026 “Prose Edition” call for submissions of World Chinese Literature.
Reported by the Editorial Team of World Chinese Literature
