The China Disabled Persons’ Federation (CDPF) hosted an event to celebrate the upcoming Spring Festival in Beijing on Jan. 30, attended by over 100 representatives from embassies in China, U.N. agencies, international organizations and businesses, and called for more exchanges through the para-athlete story sharing event, interactive para-sport activities and artistic performance.
Zhou Changkui, president of the CDPF Executive Board, said at the event that China has always insisted on integrating China’s disability cause development with that of the world and endeavors to build a global community with shared future. He expressed the federation’s hope to cooperate with U.N. agencies and embassies in China, as well as businesses and social organizations, to construct a platform for exchanges and mutual learning to improve the lives of people with disabilities around the world.
Sports play an important role in creating a bridge for communication among countries. Representatives at the event participated in various para-sports such as boccia, curling, blind football and wheelchair basketball, and listened to inspiring stories from athletes with disabilities.
You Liang, vice president of the CDPF Executive Board, emphasized in his speech that sports are of equal significance to all humans. Despite their different backgrounds in race, skin color, nationality, geography and culture, athletes from each corner of the world compete in a spirit of fairness on the field and treat each other with respect as equals off the field. Through this, You explained that the whole world sees the hopes for inclusion, harmony and more importantly, for peace.
The CDPF extended its Spring Festival greetings at the celebration themed around inclusion in sports. The 1.3 billion people with disabilities around the globe are equal members of the human family. For them, sports play an exceptional role in improving physical fitness, building a strong will and breaking through boundaries to achieve their potential. Sports also give the world a chance to witness the self-confidence, resilience, determination and courage of persons with disabilities. Additionally, sports encourage understanding and respect for persons with disabilities and accelerate the building of a more inclusive and equal society.
Riccardo Tagetti, a representative from OVCI Our Family, an NGO from Italy, spoke about his enthusiasm for such sporting events that bring people closer together and help develop greater understanding.
A gala performance by artists from the China Disabled People’s Performing Art Troupe was also held at the event, featuring singing, dancing and musical performances. The art troupe, which has performed in over 100 countries and regions, was designated a UNESCO Artist for Peace in 2007.
