Chinese female writer among Hugo finalists

Chinese female writer Hao Jingfang was nominated for this year's Hugo Awards with her novel "Folding Beijing."

The science fiction is one of the five candidates listed under the "Best Novelette" category. Hao was excited to be shortlisted and said that she didn't expect to have this result.

Chinese female writer Hao Jingfang. [Sina Weibo]

Hao graduated from the department of physics in 2006 at Tsinghua University, where she is pursuing her doctorate.

First published in a new electronic magazine, the story follows the protagonist, Lao Dao, as he tries to navigate the complicated class barriers of a futuristic Beijing in order to send his daughter to school.

"I used to live in suburban Beijing. Near my apartment building there were noisy alleys, small restaurants and an open-air market," she said. The experience inspired her to write the story.

Hao also expressed regret that the second volume of "The Three-Body Problem," by Liu Cixin, who won the 2015 Hugo Award for Best Novel, was not shortlisted.

Liu, 53, was the first Asian writer to win the Hugo Award, which is widely seen as the highest honor for science fictions, along with the Nebula Awards.

Established in 1953, the Hugo Awards are given annually to the best works of science fiction or fantasy and are seen as the "highest honor bestowed in science fiction and fantasy writing."