Wang Xiaoman, 5th Grade, Baihua Campus of Liyuan Education Group

深圳市福田区荔园教育集团百花校区 五年级 王小漫

This November, my home city of Shenzhen will host the APEC summit. I have been selected as a young volunteer interpreter to help foreign guests. It is a great honor, and a wonderful opportunity.

So, how would I introduce my motherland to visitors who have never been to China before?

For many, China likely brings to mind an ancient civilization from the pages of history books — the grand Great Wall, the legendary Silk Road, delicate porcelain, and elegant ink paintings. All of that is real and beautiful. But that is only half the story.

To help them understand modern China, I would invite them to put on a pair of smart glasses and travel along China's "Modern Silk Road."

Now, don't picture me riding a camel, carrying silk and porcelain like my ancestors. Things have changed dramatically! So put on your glasses and get ready to be amazed. I have designed a most unconventional itinerary to let you feel the true pulse of contemporary China.

Our first stop: outer space!

Welcome to the Tiangong Space Station. China began building it in 2021. It is a floating science castle in the universe. Look! Our taikonauts are conducting experiments with rice seeds inside the cabin. Scientists have already grown better rice from these seeds, with higher protein content and larger yields. Space agriculture is no longer science fiction: it's happening right now, above our heads.

Our second stop: the deepest point on Earth.

Hold tight — we're going on a space bungee jump! We'll plunge all the way down to the Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean. This is the Striver, China's self-developed deep-sea submersible. It has reached 10,000 meters below the surface. Here, we are surrounded by creatures never seen before. Look! There's a tiny fish, as transparent as jelly. And over there, coral glowing like jewels in the dark. The deep sea is no longer silent. It is full of wonder.

Our third stop: back on home ground.

Now, let's hop on a bullet train and experience what we call "China Speed." We can have crispy roast duck in Beijing for lunch, and by dinner, enjoy a juicy roujiamo — a kind of Chinese hamburger — in Xi'an. In the morning, we can watch the sunrise atop Mount Tai, and in the evening, catch a beautiful sunset at Shenzhen Bay. Anywhere you want to visit? Just name it; our high-speed rail will get you there.

China is not just a land of ancient wonders. It is a country reaching for the stars, diving into the deep, and racing toward the future.

Let's embrace the wonderful future that is happening right here, right now, in China.