(Pic Source: www.alibabagroup.com)
In what seems to be an unusual act of tribute, employees of the Alibaba Group shared a poem and special video  tribute to the its birth city of Hangzhou to celebrate the company’s 20th anniversary.
This coincides with news that Alibaba Group chairman Jack Ma will officially step down from his role on his 55th birthday, leaving it his heir CEO Daniel Zhang to take over helm of the USD460 billion e-commerce company. Ma, an ex English teacher, is reported to put the bulk of his over USD40 billion wealth into philantrophic efforts for education.
In a press release, the Alibaba Group shared its tribute to the city of Hangzhou expressing all of the employees’ heartfelt gratitude; recognising Hangzhou was among the first cities in China to welcome and embrace digital transformation, ‘The city is not only Alibaba’s birth place, it is also our bedrock and will continue to be the incubator of many more dreamers and entrepreneurs
Ode to Hangzhou
(Translated from Chinese)
In the frigid spring of 1999 I returned from the North empty-handed and badly scarred. Mumbling peculiar words. Dreaming of nonsensical dreams Fantastical tales of the Arabian Night lingered in my mind. The glistening water of the canal, The reflection of the moon upon the West Lake, The ageless wisdom of the open sea. You smiled, you listened and gazed At this unremorseful failure, But you never once judged or doubted me. We uttered prayers of confidence and tenacity, Such was the good’old days at the Hupan Garden! Red-blooded youth with ambition to take on the world. Armed with only bare fists and an iron will. You never mocked us for having nothing Quietly, you archived our every boastful claims. The first customer came, The first investor said yes, Soon, more like-minded friends joined. You sparked the kindling of a multitude of entrepreneurs And they, in return, ignited the flames in us. We dashed and crashed in the age of youthful rebellion. We aspired to be warriors, fighting for us, the future and the world. Saddled up with swords in hands, we galloped against the wind with you by our side. No one is ever born perfect, but we were perfected in the raging storms. Your steadfastness is second to none, As you cleared the whole sky so the dreamers can freely fly. We gathered brilliant minds at the West Lake We hosted fashion shows along the White Causeway. Imagination still runs wild, Bizarre ideas continue to ensue. Those seemingly absurd views Those flickering lights of youth. You ushered the dream chasers to the center stage, And inspired the entrepreneurs to follow the light in their hearts. What victory? Just sheer grit and perseverance. What success? Simply refused to relinquish my dreams. Thank you, Hangzhou. For understanding my dreams from the start We share the same genes, same determination, same accountability, same future Your lakes and mountains, your misty rain, Your poetic love, your signature unwavering conviction Our Taobao, our Ant Financial, our Cainiao, our PTG To the farthest point and beyond.
—–All Alibaba Employees
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