Zhou Changkui, executive chief of the Chinese Sports Delegation to the Hangzhou Asian Para Games and director of the China Disabled Persons' Federation (CDPF) executive council, held a meeting with Abdulaziz Baeshen, secretary-general of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, at the Hangzhou Para Games Village in East China's Zhejiang province on Oct 26.
Zhou welcomed the Saudi sports delegation on their participation in the 4th Asian Para Games and gave an introduction on the achievements made by China in sports for people with disabilities.
Noting that China has actively shouldered its international obligations and hosted large-scale international parasports events such as the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics and the Hangzhou Asian Para Games in recent years, Zhou said that the development of the sports industry for the disabled will promote comprehensive development of the overall cause, foster a social atmosphere that shows understanding, respect, love and offers assistance, and encourage more people of disability to undertake rehabilitation training, overcome themselves and achieve their dreams through participation in sports events.
China and Saudi Arabia are two major Asian countries promoting the development of parasports, Zhou said, adding that China looks forward to engaging in in-depth cooperation and exchanges with Saudi Arabia in sports for people with disabilities, as well as in promoting the development of regional and international parasports through concerted efforts.
Baeshen extended congratulations to the Chinese sports delegation on their outstanding performance at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games and lauded the tremendous achievements made by China in the development of parasports. He said that as Saudi Arabia will host the Asian Para Games in 2034, the country is willing to learn from China’s successful experience in holding major parasports events, deepen bilateral exchanges and cooperation on parasports, and work together to further improve the wellbeing of disabled athletes in the two countries.
Those in attendance at the meeting also included You Liang, deputy chief of the Chinese Sports Delegation to the Hangzhou Asian Para Games and deputy director of the CDPF executive council, officials of the CDPF's Department of International Affairs, and Saudi Princess Hassa bint Salman.