The Bird's Nest National Stadium in Beijing again attracted world attention Saturday night... A three-hour long opening ceremony officially kicked off the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games.

4000 athletes from 147 countries and regions shared the exciting moment with tens of thousands of invited guests and spectators before setting to compete in games they've trained hard for.

Present at the opening ceremony was Liu Qi, President of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2008 Olympic Games. He compared the Paralympic Games to a pageant for people around the world. He said the trust that the world has in China led the way for Beijing's selection as the host city of the 2008 Paralympic Games.

"Both the Chinese government and the Chinese people have demonstrated huge passion in supporting the Paralympic Games. With the goal of 'two Games with equal splendor' in mind, we've strengthened the construction of barrier-free facilities and tried our best in providing special services to all the athletes and guests. We wish that the Games will serve as a platform that people share happiness and friendship, dreams and successes. We'll also showcase the passion of the Chinese people to the world."

The scale of the Paralympic Games in Beijing is unprecedented. Both the number of athletes and delegations participating surpassed those of the previous events.

Philip Caven, Chairman of the International Paralympic Committee, said the Beijing Paralympic Games are a milestone in the history of Paralympic movement.