Su Shuyang is a renowned author and screenwriter in China who has so far composed more than a dozen
influential contemporary works. His works are mostly about grassroots life in China. As such, they have en-
riched the lives of many, especially in the 1970s and 80s. Young people today may know of Su Shuyang thr-
ough China Reader. It's an authoritative book about China, with about 12 million copies circulating since
itspublication in 1999. But for older generations, Su Shuyuang is a beloved author who had created many
literary works that reflected the grassroots life in the transitional period of 1970s to the 80s.
Born in 1938, Su Shuyang has always been a keen observer. In middle school, Su Shuyang devoted
himself to writing plays. After graduating from university, he taught in several academic institutions.
During his time at Beijing College of Chinese Medicine, Su Shuyang composed the play "Song of Loyal
Hearts". It's a drama about intellectuals dedicating themselves to the research of the traditional Chinese
medicine. His plays always had simple storylines about everyday life that the audience could identify with.
"Song of Loyal Hearts" became a huge success in the 1970s and established Su Shuyang as a writer.
"I didn't feel that confident at the time. When newspapers all over the country started printing and praising
'Song of Loyal Hearts', I almost felt like they weren't talking about me. I never took advantage of my fame,
although many positions were offered to me at the time. I never accepted any because I didn't think I was
qualified."
The success of the "Song of Loyal Hearts" was the turning point for Su Shuyang. At age 40, he became a
career screenwriter at Beijing Film Studio. At the time, the whole country was experiencing the changes f
rom the economic reform. Chinese people's ideological pursuit had also changed with it. That's when Su
Shuyang put out "Sunset Street". It traces the life of Beijing residents during that period.
"I noticed the changes when new things were replacing the old in Beijing. People were pursuing new
dreams. But they were sad to let their old things and habits die. It's natural for people to feel this way.
This sense of nostalgia is the most touching element in creative writing.
The story of "Sunset Street" took place in a narrow Hutong in Beijing. Several families were living there,
each with their own dreams. An unemployed young man wanted to open a buffet selling traditional Beijing
style bean curd. A young girl longed to go overseas to expand her horizons. A young couple who were model
teachers needed a new flat… In the end, these old neighbors helped each other make their dreams into reality.
The families had much to look forward to, but they watched wistfully as their old block was demolished.
Sunset Street became a huge hit because it perfectly described the social mentality of the time. After that,
the writer wrote a number of screenplays and novels about the lives of Beijing residents, as well as Chinese
intellectuals, like the novel "Homeland" and the poetry collection titled: "About Love."
Su Shuyang also produced two more popular plays, "The Booming China Roses" and "Drizzle in Spring".
Most of these works contained strong Beijing folk culture. Some have been translated into different
languages and distributed worldwide.
Unfortunately, Su Shuyang had cancer at the peak of his career.
Part of his stomach, lung and spleen were removed. But it didn’t stop Su Shuyang, and he continued to write.
"When one's hit by a disease, one ought to see the doctor and undergo operation if necessary. Apart from
that,just treat the disease as a friend, albeit an annoying friend. Then carry on with your own life. I'll do what
I can in my limited time. For instance, if I only have two months left, and I'm able to finish a certain task, I
would be satisfied."
During the past 12 years, Su Shuyang has managed to complete seven full-length works.
One of them being "China Reader" that we mentioned earlier in this segment. During last year's Frankfurt
Book Fair, China Reader was introduced to the international market.
It enjoyed much attention during the fair and its German version was licensed to the famous German-
based Bertelsmann Group. Su Shuyang also co-authored another book entitled "I Survived the Tangshan
Earthquake" because this is the 30th anniversary of the disaster. The book tells the story of those who
experienced the earth-quake.
"The Tangshan earthquake on July 28th, 1976, is an important event in China's modern history. It changed
many people's lives. At that time, I was part of an emergency medical team. I never had the chance to work
on the frontlines during the earthquake. But in the first two weeks after the earthquake happened, we were
well informed on the developments of the earthquake, the government's strategies to counter the aftermath
of the quake to prepare for any aftershocks, and to save the wounded. I believe this book will tell those who
didn't experience the earthquake what really happened. For those who survived the quake, the book will
serve as a lasting memory.
For health reason, Su Shuyang no longer has the energy to compose new plays or novels. But as a
member of the Board of the Chinese Writers Association and the China Film Association, he still
cares about the development of screenwriting in the country.
"Directors often misunderstand the art of making films. Cinematography is not just about colors, tempos
and photography. If we want another golden era to come for Chinese film industry, we still need a good
team of screenwriters. Film makers should place more importance on the literary quality of screenwriters."
Su Shuyang is currently enjoying an active life, despite having cancer. He says he still plans to write some
novels and plays. Let's hope he can achieve this goal and present the world with more realistic works
about contemporary China.
