Beijing in September is celebrated for its clear sky and refreshing air. On the afternoon of September 6, 2008, Chinese President Hu Jintao, on behalf of the Chinese government and people, hosted a grand reception at the Great Hall of the People to welcome international dignitaries coming to attend the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games. Hu said in his toast that through participation in the Paralympics, disabled athletes from different countries can display their self-esteem, self-confidence, self-improvement, and self-reliance, feel joy, friendship, dream and success, challenge themselves to succeed, and pursue the goal of realizing the value of life. The international Paralympic movement inspires the disabled and able-bodied people in the big global family to interact with each other, share social rights and build a harmonious world together.

Present at the welcome reception were Wu Bangguo, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chairman of NPC Standing Committee, Wen Jiabao, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Premier of the State Council, Jia Qinglin, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Li Changchun, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Xi Jinping, Vice President and Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Li Keqiang, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, He Guoqiang, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), Zhou Yongkang, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the Committee of Political Science and Law under the CPC Central Committee, Liu Yongqing, wife of President Hu Jintao, Pilip Craven, President of the International Paralympic Committee, Juan Antonio Samaranch, Honorary President for Life of the International Olympic Committee and other Chinese leaders and international dignitaries.

The East Hall of the Great Hall of the People was brightly lit and the huge Chinese painting looked magnificent. At 11:40 a.m., President Hu Jintao and his wife Liu Yongqing greeted 48 visiting international dignitaries including their spouses, who came to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Paralympic Games and other related activities. Hu Jintao shook hands and exchanged greetings with them.

At 11:50 a.m., the welcome reception formally started amid the tune of welcome. The North Hall, which was decorated anew, was surrounded by blossoms. The red, blue and green emblem of the Beijing Paralympics, which represents "Heaven, Earth and Human", on the background board decorated with the pattern of auspicious clouds, was particularly eye-catching.

Amidst the warm applause, President Hu Jintao delivered a toast titled Promoting International Paralympic Movement and Joining Hands to Build a Better World.

Hu said since the first Paralympic Games in the 1960s, the Paralympic Games, with the concerted efforts of the international community, has become an important cultural and sports event committed to promoting mutual understanding and friendship between people and advancing the development of civilizations in the world. There were over 4,000 athletes from more than 140 countries and regions attending the Beijing Paralympic Games, which fully demonstrated the care and support given by the countries to the sports undertaking for the disabled.

Hu pointed out that caring for the disabled is an important embodiment of social civilization and progress. China has 83 million disabled people. The Chinese government and people always give priority to the cause of the disabled and put people first. We advocate humanitarianism and equality and oppose discrimination. We care for the weak and respect human rights. We adopted a series of policy measures to encourage all to show care and love to the disabled and promote the comprehensive development of the cause of the disabled. We have made remarkable achievements. We will take the Beijing Paralympics as an opportunity to carry forward humanitarianism, safeguard the rights of the disabled, and ensure equal opportunities for the disabled to participate in social life and share the fruits of economic and social development.

Hu stressed that the Chinese government attaches great importance to developing the sports cause of the disabled and actively participates in the Paralympic movement. Since Beijing won the bid to host thee Paralympic Games in 2001, the Chinese government and people, under the support of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the international community, have earnestly fulfilled our solemn commitment to the international community. In accordance with the requirements of "Two Games, Equal Splendor", we adhere to the concept of going beyond, integrating and sharing and spare no efforts to do well in organizing the Beijing Paralympics. With the continuous support of IPC and the international community, we will surely be able to make the Beijing Paralympics into a high-level Paralympic Games with distinguishing features.

Hu said that "One World, One Dream" is the common slogan of the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics. The Beijing Paralympic Games, as a stage committed to enhancing the mutual understanding and friendship between the disabled friends from different parts of the world, will leave very valuable spiritual assets to the sports cause of the disabled. Let us join hands to promote the global cause of the disabled and make joint efforts to build a better world together.

The welcome reception was moderated by Liu Qi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Secretary of CPC Beijing Municipal Committee and President of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games.

Deng Pufang, Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Chairman of the China Disabled Persons Federation (CDPF) and Executive President of BOCOG, members and honorary members of the IPC Executive Committee and their spouses, international dignitaries and their spouses who came to attend the opening ceremony of the Paralympics, and dignitaries invited by IPC and their spouses attended the welcome reception.

Some top leaders from CPC and the Chinese government also attended the reception.