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| Chinese Science Fiction on Climate Change since the 1990s |
| Zhu Yuting |
| School of Literature, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China |
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Abstract Literary works on climate change and related academic researches have flourished in the West, showcasing an important pathway for literature to interfere in the tackling of the severe climate change issues in the current world. Since the 1990s, representation of climate change in Chinese science fictions has been accumulating, reaching a certain height in both quality and quantity, and featuring diversified composition and vigorous creation. However, systematic and comprehensive research thereon remains scarce both at home and abroad. This paper is of great significance in that it brings together the works of representative writers such as Liu Xingshi, Wu Ji, He Xi, and Zhao Haihong. It discusses, in the context of the times and with specific texts, their basic styles, modes of writing, literary values and limitations.Liu Xingshi’s Himalayan Fantasy and Wu Ji’s The Moon Summit brim with idealism and patriotism. Both writers, as natural scientists, intend to propose unique technologies on the basis of existing science and explore possible solutions to climate change in the near future through meticulous technical descriptions. Their works inherit the merits of the 1980s science fiction with Chinese characteristics, but surpass the previous ones in length and literary quality, further expanding the reach of contemporary Chinese science fiction literature.He Xi’s The Dooms Year extends the scale of climate change from the earth to the vast and boundless universe, and dives between reality and fiction with its epic depiction, transcending the limitations imposed on individuals by the life forms and conditions of the species, and thus gaining a deeper understanding of the essence and meaning of the human existence. With introspection and reconstruction of civilization as the main theme and the climate crisis as a connecting point, The Dooms Year not only inherits the enlightening thinking from modern and contemporary Chinese literature but also deepens it in the new times, displaying unique literary qualities of science fiction.Works by other writers represented by Zhao Haihong allow a more private entry into the stories, namely from fragmented, specific and ordinary aspects of life, and delicately depict the daily life experience, emotional changes and mental outlook of individuals under climate change, opening up a valuable perspective. These novels focus on the relationship between human beings and climate change, whereas scientific elements recede into the background, and therefore these works appear to be more dynamic and lively in form. However, their popular narratives are underprepared to fully present the complex emotions in the face of climate change, so further textual development is still needed.Climate fiction is a conspicuous sub-genre of contemporary Chinese science fiction. It not only stands non-negligible in the diversified contemporary Chinese literary landscape, but also consciously enters the world literary arena with vigor to make a “Chinese voice”, responding to climate change issues jointly with Western climate fiction. These creations reflect the thinking, interpretation and criticism of Chinese science fiction writers on climate change in the midst of accelerated globalization and China’s modernization, highlighting their modern civilization consciousness and cultural self-awareness.
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Received: 18 March 2022
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2022, Vol. 52 
