How Three-Body Changed Chinese Sci-Fi in 20 Years

Before Three-Body: The "Pre-Three-Body Era"

The origins of Chinese sci-fi trace back to the late Qing dynasty. Lu Xun translated Jules Verne (1903), Liang Qichao wrote "The Future of New China" (1902) — but these were more political allegories than proper sci-fi.

After 1949, sci-fi was tasked with "science popularization." Works by Zheng Wenguang, Tong Enzheng, etc. In 1978, "Xiao Lingtong's Tour of the Future" sold 3 million copies — but overall, Chinese sci-fi was confined to "youth science education."

The 1983 "Anti-Spiritual Pollution" campaign dealt a heavy blow to Chinese sci-fi. For nearly 20 years afterward, Chinese sci-fi was in a "near-death" state. Only Science Fiction World magazine persisted, becoming the sole beacon.

Liu Cixin began publishing short stories in SFW in 1999. His arrival was called "Arcturus rising" by readers — but no one imagined this Shanxi power plant engineer would change everything.

Before Three-Body: Sci-fi was a "niche hobby." Admitting you were a sci-fi fan was socially awkward.

After Three-Body: Sci-fi became one of China's most respected cultural genres. National leaders quoting a sci-fi work in public? Three-Body. Tech CEOs repeatedly referencing a book? Three-Body. Starbucks x Three-Body collaboration? Three-Body.

Pre-Three-Body Chinese sci-fi — emphasized "science" over "fiction," prioritized scientific accuracy.

Post-Three-Body — no Chinese writer dares to write "Solar System only" stories anymore. The cosmic scale has been pushed to the extreme.

Pre-Three-Body: Chinese sci-fi more or less imitated Western paradigms.

After Three-Body: Chinese sci-fi developed its own cultural DNA: the Cultural Revolution narrative, Chinese family ethics, Eastern philosophical cosmology. Three-Body proved world-class sci-fi could grow from Chinese cultural soil.

Pre-Three-Body: Almost all Chinese sci-fi writers were part-timers. Royalties couldn't support a living.

After Three-Body: Liu Cixin alone created an IP worth more than the entire Chinese sci-fi industry combined. Capital flooded in, film adaptations, game development, theme exhibitions — Three-Body created an entire sci-fi industrial chain.

- Before Three-Body (2005): ~50 sci-fi titles published annually

- After Three-Body (2025): 800+ sci-fi titles annually (16x increase)

- Average sci-fi writer income increased ~20x

Before Three-Body: Chinese sci-fi was virtually invisible internationally. Western readers' impression of Chinese literature was Mo Yan's Northeast Gaomi Township, Yu Hua's tales of suffering.

After Three-Body: Chinese sci-fi entered global sci-fi's conversation.

20 years have passed. Three-Body is not just a novel — it's the "coming of age" ceremony for Chinese science fiction. Before it, Chinese sci-fi was a child groping in the dark. After it, Chinese sci-fi has grown into a giant capable of global dialogue.

And on that giant's shoulders stands a Shanxi engineer.

2006-2026, thank you Three-Body, thank you Liu Cixin, thank you every sci-fi fan.