Members of the Chinese delegation participate in the flag-raising ceremony at the Paralympic Village in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Sept. 5, 2016. (Photo: Xinhua/Li Gang)
The national flag-raising ceremony of Chinese delegation was held at the Rio Paralympic Athletes Village on Monday, two days before the grand opening of the first Paralympic Games held in South America.[Special coverage]
A welcome performance featured original Brazilian music and culture. The athletes applauded and cheered with the dancers.
The Chinese Paralympic delegation, headed by the chairperson of China's Disabled Persons' Federation, Zhang Haidi, attended the ceremony.
"We come here with friendship and the love to our motherland," said Zhang. "The athletes will do their best in the Games."
After the ceremony, the delegation announced that the 28-year-old wheelchair fencing world champion Rong Jing would be China's flagbearer at the opening ceremony.
"It's a surprise as well as a great honor to be the flagbearer," said the smiling girl. "I will try to do my best in the game and enjoy the days in Rio."
China sent 308 athletes to compete in 328 events of 17 sports at the Games, marking the largest number of athletes and events in Chinese delegation's overseas Paralympic tours.
