Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c10.s2.t20.38

v2.c10.s2.t20.38

As for Tagore’s friendship with the talented and young poet Xu Zhimo, one could say that between the two, they shared the love of a father and a son. Tagore in his *Talks in China* mentioned this young man. In October 1928, Xu Zhimo went to India to visit the Tagore at Visva-Bharati. On March 19, 1929, when Tagore was returning to India after his visit to Canada, he made a special trip to Shanghai to stay for two days and visit Xu Zhimo. Before Tagore could return home, Song Qing Ling arranged a grand farewell ceremony for him. On May 14, a Chinese diplomat posted in Japan met Tagore at the Tokyo Imperial Hotel where he was staying. He again invited him to visit Nanjing and other places. The poet said he hoped to visit China again before he could return to India. On June 11, Tagore again visited Shanghai. This time he again stayed at Xu Zhimo’s house for two days.