(CFP)

Su Shuyang, a renowned author and screenwriter, was presented with the outstanding contribution award at a ceremony jointly held by China Film Association and Chinese Writers magazine on May 17.

Born in 1938, Su started to write in middle school. After graduating from university, he taught at several academic institutions. During his time at Beijing College of Chinese Medicine, Su composed the play Song of Loyal Hearts, a drama about intellectuals dedicating themselves to the research of traditional Chinese medicine. The play became a huge success in the 1970s and established Su as a professional writer.

At 40, Su became a screenwriter at Beijing Film Studio, where he wrote the script for the movie Sunset Street, reflecting the life of Beijing residents during China's economic reform. He went on to write a number of screenplays and novels about the lives of Beijing residents, as well as Chinese intellectuals, such as the novel Homeland and the poetry collection About Love. Su is now a member of the Board of the Chinese Writers Association and the China Film Association.

Su's famous work A Reader on China, a general introduction to the immense country, has been published in 15 languages with about 12 million copies in circulation. The work has become a top example for Chinese books entering the international publishing market.