Good afternoon, respected teachers and dear classmates.

When I told my friends back home that I was studying in Qujing, most of them had never heard of it. But when I said, "This is where the Pearl River begins", their eyes widened.

Yes, the Pearl River is the great waterway that flows through Guangzhou and into the South China Sea. It starts right here. Its source is the Nanpan River.

Today, I invite you to discover this river with me. This is not a geography lesson. It is a story of nature and harmony.

The Nanpan River possesses four natural gifts that make it truly special. First, abundant water. It nourishes the land and sustains life. Second, flat and fertile valleys. These were natural granaries for ancient people. They were easy to live on and easy to farm. Third, navigable waterways. They connected different ethnic groups, encouraging communication and integration long before modern roads existed. Fourth, a unique geographical setting. For thousands of years, it preserved local customs and ethnic cultures in their purest form. Because of these four gifts, the Nanpan River became a cradle of civilization and a true mother river.

I once took a walk along the riverbank on a quiet spring afternoon. An elderly local man was fishing there. He didn't speak much English, but when he pointed to the water, he said a word I will never forget: "mother river." That moment made me realize that this river is not just water on a map. It is the heart of this region.

Along the Nanpan River live many ethnic groups. Let me introduce three.

The Yi people are known as the Nation of Fire. They live in the mountains. Their Torch Festival lights up the night. Their Bimo priests preserve ancient scriptures. Their folk songs echo deep respect for nature.

The Buyi people are masters of batik. They live close to the water and excel in rice cultivation. They maintain old villages where even a leaf whistle sounds like poetry.

The Zhuang people are the Nation of Embroidery. Their fine brocade carries wishes for a better life. They continue the tradition of song fairs and bronze drums, a treasure passed down for centuries.

What moves me most is not just their individual cultures, but how they coexist. All these groups share the same river valley. They celebrate their own festivals, yet they also help each other plant rice and trade goods. The Nanpan River does not separate them. It connects them. It is a living symbol of unity in diversity.

So the next time you hear the name "Pearl River," I hope you will remember its quiet beginning here in Qujing. The Nanpan River is not only a geographical source but also a source of civilization, culture, and harmony.

As an international student, I feel grateful to have discovered it. I hope that through my sharing today, you too will see the beauty of this river and the unity it carries.

Thank you!