Chinese Cyberpunk: From Writing to Worlding

In this essay, Chen Qiufan explores the evolution of cyberpunk in a Chinese context, moving beyond its Western roots to propose a new Eastern aesthetic. Originally shaped by 1980s geopolitics, technology, and Reagan-era tensions, cyberpunk blended Eastern influences with dystopian themes. Chen argues that contemporary Chinese cyberpunk should reflect China’s unique technological landscape while critiquing its social realities. He contrasts Western binary frameworks (e.g., man vs. machine) with Eastern philosophies like Confucianism and Taoism, which emphasize harmony and unity, suggesting these can redefine cyberpunk’s “high tech, low life” ethos. Through works such as The Waste Tide, Chen integrates local rituals with futuristic narratives, proposing new concepts to reimagine cyberpunk.