Jia Pingwa, formerly known as Jia Pingwa, is a Chinese novelist and short story writer. He was born in Dihua Town, Danfeng, Shangluo, Shaanxi, graduated from Northwest University School of Arts in 1975, began to publish works in 1972. His novels includes "Shang State", "White Night", and the autobiographical "I am a Farmer". His 1993 novel, Deserted City was banned for its explicit sexual content by the State Publishing Administration. The novel was re-released 17 years later. His most famous novel is Shaanxi Opera, which won the Mao Dun Literature Prize. He is the Chairman of the Writers' Association of Shaanxi Province, and a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Xi'an People's Congress. Currently he also is a member of the Presidium of the Chinese Writers' Association, Xi'an Literary Federation President, Xi'an Writers' Association Honorary Chairman, Dean of the College of Arts of Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, the editor-in-chief of "Essay", In-school writer of the Ocean University of China. 

February 21st, 1952 in Shangluo (Age 72)