Tune of Li Zhongtang

The Tune of Li Zhongtang is the first semi-official national song of China, written by Li Hongzhang in 1896 during the Qing dynasty. As an unofficial anthem for the dynasty, it was so named because "Zhongtang" was a bureaucratic title meaning viceroy or grand secretary.

History
In 1896, (the 22nd year of Guangxu), Li Hongzhang (李鴻章), Minister of Beiyang and Governor of Zhili, paid a diplomatic visit to Western Europe and Russia. As a national anthem was requested for the welcome ceremony, Li Hongzhang adopted a Tang dynasty poem by Wang Jian for the event.

As a former commander of the Beiyang Fleet, Li also wrote an anthem for it to the same tune.

Simplified Chinese
金殿当头紫阁重， 仙人掌上玉芙蓉， 太平天子朝天日， 五色云车驾六龙.

Traditional Chinese
金殿當頭紫閣重， 仙人掌上玉芙蓉， 太平天子朝天日， 五色雲車駕六龍.

Hanyu Pinyin
Jīndiàn dāng tóu zǐgè chóng, Xiānrén zhǎng shàng yù fúróng, Taìpíng Tiānzǐ cháo tiān rì, Wǔ sè yúnchē jià liù lóng.

English translation
In the Golden Palace, amongst the overlapping purple pavilions, Like a jade lotus flower in an immortal's palm, The Son of Heaven of Supreme Peace pays tribute to Heaven's sun, In its five-colour chariot of clouds, drawn by six dragons.