Thirteen contestants from various industries took the stage at the q-plex in Shahe Subdistrict on Sept. 14 to share stories of Nanshan District in English, as part of the "Soundwave Boundless" English Competition Nanshan Preliminary Contest.

The Nanshan qualifying round of the "Speak Shenzhen" initiative was organized under the guidance of the Foreign Affairs Office of Shenzhen Muncipal People's Government and hosted by the Nanshan District Foreign Affairs Bureau and Shahe Subdistrict Office. The event aimed to showcase the district's international development achievements and provide residents with a platform to demonstrate language skills and broaden global perspectives.

A contestant speaks at the English contest. Photos courtesy of Southwind International Service

The competition featured two segments: a themed contest and a personal talent showcase. During the themed portion, contestants delivered English speeches about their experiences in Nanshan and the impact of the district's technological advancements on daily life. Seven outstanding performers advanced to the personal talent round, where they gave impromptu speeches on various topics including Nanshan's regional characteristics, international cultural tourism, cutting-edge technology, local history, and sports leisure.

After intense competition, Ma Ruishu and Xie Fei emerged as first-prize winners. Outstanding contestants will have the opportunity to represent Nanshan in the final round of the "Speak Shenzhen" competition.

Xie Fei (L) and Ma Ruishu (R) pose for a photo after being appointed "Nanshan International Cultural Exchange Ambassadors" at the event.

"I'm a language enthusiast, and this competition isn't just about language training," Ma said in an interview. "It's about using language as a tool to communicate with the world and tell China's stories well."

Additionally, the competition selected four "Nanshan International Cultural Exchange Ambassadors": Ma Ruishu, Xie Fei, Chen Jiayu, and Gao Ziyan. These ambassadors will receive priority opportunities to participate in various international cultural activities, city promotions, and international communication projects organized by the district over the coming year.