Chinese central authorities congratulate Paralympians

The message urged the athletes to sum up the experience and carry forward good tradition, and improve sportsmanship and competitiveness in sports.

"We hope you will advance China's disabled sports development and help the disabled people to participate in social activities and share the fruit of social development," it said.

"We hope to see you win even greater honor for the motherland and people, and strive for new victories," it concluded.

China for the first time topped both the gold and overall medal tallies at the 2004 Paralympics in Athens with a record of 63-46-32. It sent to the Beijing Games the largest delegation of 547 members that included 332 athletes.

Editor:Zhang Yue