Hello everyone! I am Andreas, the Chinese Poetry Ambassador. I am from Hungary and I am currently working at BBAC, which belongs to BAIC Group. Today, I would like to read the poem. Seeing off my friend Li formerly a county magistrate (shaofu) of Weicheng to you.
Seeing off my friend Li formerly a county magistrate (shaofu) of Weicheng. Tang Dynasty・Zhang Jiuling. I am sending off a friend who is about to take up his post as County Magistrate of Nanchang. At a farewell pavilion west of the city, we gather in the springtime to see him off. Roadside wildflowers are fading as they are about to wither, while the birds in the forest still sing with fresh and lively voices. We drink farewell wine on the road outside the capital’s Green Gate, you will depart in your carriage and cross the White Horse Ferry on your journey to your post. True friends who understand each other deeply are not separated by distance, even if we are thousands of miles apart, we remain as close as neighbors.
I really like this poem, because it teaches me that sincere friendship is never limited by distance. As a foreign friend working at BBAC in Beijing far from my hometown I truly feel the warmth of the idea that “even thousands of miles apart, we remain as close as neighbors.” My favorite line is “True friends who understand each other deeply are not separated by distance, even if we are thousands of miles apart, we remain as close as neighbors.” Reading this gives me a sense of ease and grandeur without the sorrow of parting. Friendship is rooted in the heart when there is sincerity, distance no longer matters. No matter how far apart we are, true friends always remain close in spirit.
By using poetry to make friends and expressing emotions through voice I warmly invite all international friends to participate in the “ECHOES OF FRIENDSHIP” 2026 Beijing International Friends Chinese Poetry Recitation Event.
Through poetry, let us understand China and fall in love with Beijing.
