Speech: The Tuohuan Niu — The Soul of Shenzhen
拓荒牛与深圳精神—深外备考话题
2分钟演讲稿
When people talk about Shenzhen’s symbols, many children choose skyscrapers or theme parks. But I choose the Tuohuan Niu — the Pioneer Bull, standing at the main gate of Shenzhen Municipal Government Compound.
当人们谈论深圳的标志时，许多孩子会选择摩天大楼或主题公园。但我选择拓荒牛——那尊矗立在深圳市委大院门口的先锋之牛。
This solid bronze bull, strong and determined, lowers its head and pulls twisted old roots forward, a symbol of courage to break barriers. It carries the pioneer spirit that built Shenzhen from scratch.
这尊坚实的青铜牛，强壮而坚定，低着头，牵引着缠绕的老树根奋力前行，是冲破阻碍、奋勇争先的象征。它承载着让深圳从无到有、由弱变强的拓荒精神。
Back in 1979, Shenzhen was just a small fishing village. In 1980, it became China’s first Special Economic Zone. Thousands of pioneers came here, working day and night like the Pioneer Bull, turning wild land into a hopeful land.
回溯1979年，深圳还只是一个小小的渔村。1980年，它成为中国第一个经济特区。成千上万的拓荒者来到这里，像拓荒牛一样日夜劳作，将荒芜的土地变成了充满希望的沃土。
Today, Shenzhen has grown into a modern international metropolis. And soon, in November 2026, the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting will be held here — a great honor for our city.
如今，深圳已发展成为一座现代化国际大都市。而不久后的2026年11月，第33届亚太经合组织（APEC）领导人非正式会议将在这里举办——这是我们城市的莫大荣耀。
APEC, a key economic forum in the Asia-Pacific, will gather leaders from all over the region. This is not just a global gathering, but also a chance to show the world the Pioneer Spirit of Shenzhen, passed down from the Tuohuan Niu.
作为亚太地区重要的经济论坛，APEC将汇聚世界各地的领导人。这不仅是一场世界盛会，更是向世界展示深圳拓荒牛精神的契机——这份精神，由拓荒牛承载，代代相传。
The Pioneer Bull still stands quietly, reminding us that all miracles come from hard work. As we welcome APEC, we will carry this spirit forward, letting Shenzhen shine on the APEC stage and write a new chapter of cooperation and development.
拓荒牛依旧静静矗立，提醒着我们：所有奇迹都源于脚踏实地的奋斗。在迎接APEC的日子里，我们将传承这份精神，让深圳在APEC舞台上绽放光彩，书写合作与发展的新篇章。
完整长稿：
When people talk about Shenzhen’s most meaningful symbols, many children and young people would choose tall skyscrapers, busy theme parks, or modern city landmarks. But if you ask me, I will choose one special statue: the Tuohuan Niu, the Pioneer Bull, standing quietly at the main gate of the Shenzhen Municipal Government Compound.
To many people, it is just a sculpture. But to everyone who loves Shenzhen, who knows Shenzhen, and who has built Shenzhen, this bull is much more than metal and shape. It carries history, it carries effort, and it carries the faith that turned a small fishing village into a world-famous modern city.
Let me first describe this amazing sculpture to you.
Made of solid bronze, the bull is strong, energetic, and full of determination. Its head is lowered, facing forward with unshakable will. Every muscle in its body is tight, showing endless strength. Its four legs step firmly, as if pushing through heavy resistance. Behind it, the bull pulls a large, twisted, stubborn old root — a symbol of difficulties, old constraints, and backward conditions. The whole image is not about elegance or comfort. It is about struggle, courage, and moving forward no matter how hard the road is.
This bull reminds us of one spirit above all:
the spirit of pioneers, the spirit of breaking new ground, the spirit of daring to dream and daring to act.
And that spirit is exactly how Shenzhen began.
In 1979, Shenzhen was nothing but a quiet, poor fishing village. There were no skyscrapers, no subways, no high‑tech factories, no busy avenues. Life was simple, resources were limited, and challenges were everywhere. But in 1980, Shenzhen became China’s first Special Economic Zone. A great historical journey started from zero.
Thousands upon thousands of builders, dreamers, workers, and young people came here from all over the country. They carried simple luggage, left their families, and stepped onto this unknown land. They worked day and night. They built roads, bridges, and houses with their own hands. They faced risks, broke old rules, explored new paths, and never gave up. Just like the Tuohuan Niu, they bent their heads, pushed forward, and turned wild land into hope.
Today, when we look at Shenzhen, we can hardly believe the miracle before our eyes.
From that small fishing village, Shenzhen has grown into an international, modern, innovative metropolis. We have world-class airports, ports, high-speed railways, and towering CBDs. We have leading technology companies, creative industries, and talented people from every corner of the world. We enjoy convenient transportation, beautiful environment, rich education, medical care, and cultural life. Shenzhen is now a city of opportunity, a city of innovation, and a city that inspires the whole nation.
Yet through all these great changes, one thing has never changed —
the spirit of the Tuohuan Niu.
Today, we no longer struggle for food or shelter. But we still need that same courage to explore, that same determination to work hard, and that same spirit to keep moving forward. The Pioneer Bull still stands there quietly, watching over this city, reminding every one of us where we came from, how we succeeded, and where we should go next.
This bull tells us the greatest story of Shenzhen:
Great miracles are not made by luck.
They are made by dedication, courage, and persistent hard work.
So the next time you see the Tuohuan Niu sculpture, remember:
It is not just bronze.
It is the memory of our past.
It is the pride of our present.
And it is the light for our future.
Thank you.
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