Chosen pieces of Chinese literature (5)
I believe the answer is:
elite
'chosen' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'pieces of chinese literature' is the wordplay.
'pieces of' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue (I've seen 'piece of' mean this).
'ELITE' can be found hidden inside 'chinese literature'.
(Other definitions for elite that I've seen before include "Exclusive group" , "A particular typesize" , "Group considered to have superior status" , "type in pool?" , "Privileged or posh group" .)