The emblem for the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games, a character most used in ancient Chinese, was unveiled in a grand ceremony at the China Centenary Altar on Monday. 

The ceremony was attended by Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu, and Liu Qi, President of the Beijing Organizing Committee of the 2008 Olympic Games (BOCOG) and Wang Qishan, Mayor of Beijing and a BOCOG executive president.

The red, blue and green logo, entitled "Heaven, Earth and Human," is based on the Chinese character Zhi, which comprises three strokes representing the title.

It also includes the logo of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the English words "Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games."

The ceremony was doubled as an occasion to celebrate the third anniversary of the Chinese capital's successful bid to host the 2008 Olympic Games.

"Today three years ago was a day that the Chinese nation is most proud of when we were awarded the right to host the 2008 Olympic Games and Paralympics. This evening, we are here to celebrate once again and launch the 2008 Paralympic emblem," said Deng Pufang, President of the China Disabled Person' Federation (CDPF) and also a BOCOG executive president.

"The launch of the 2008 Beijing Paralympic emblem will surely further encourage China's disabled athletes to continue winning glory for our country with relentless effort and perseverance in the international Paralympic competition fields," said Deng.

He said that the Chinese government attaches equal importance to the hosting of the 2008 Olympics and Paralympics.

"The Chinese people are also equally enthusiastic about the two Games," he said. "The 2008 Olympics and Paralympics will for sure open a new chapter in the history of the Olympic movement and human civilization."

The Beijing Organizing for the 2008 Olympic Games unveiled last summer its emblem, a Chinese character for the name of Beijing drawn to look like a running athlete.

Also present at the ceremony were Yuan Weimin, minister of the Chinese State General Administration of Sport and also a BOCOG executive president, Francois Terranova, vice president of the International Paralymic Committee and Kevin Gospa, vice president of the International Olympic Committee.

(Xinhua News Agency July 14, 2004)