国内英语新闻:Senior leader applauds Chinese literary workers' contributions

HANGZHOU, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Senior Chinese leader Li Changchun on Tuesday applauded the contributions that Chinese literary writers and authors had made to enriching people's lives and called on them to create more works that are true to life and close to people.

Li, who is a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in a congratulatory letter that was sent to the organizing committee of the fifth Lu Xun Literature Prize, one of China's most prestigious honors.

The award ceremony was held in east China's Shaoxing City, the hometown of Lu Xun (1881-1936), one of China's most well-known contemporary authors and essayist, on Tuesday night.

Named after Lu, the prize was first awarded in 1986.

Writers of outstanding short- to middle-length novels, poems, prose, essays, reportage, literary reviews and theoretical works will receive the award, which is bestowed every two years.