The city of Shanghai and Special Olympics International Committee signed a package of agreements yesterday in Beijing, officially launching preparations for the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games. The World Games are held once every two years.

Special Olympics is the world's largest program of sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with learning or intellectual disabilities.

According to the agreements, the Shanghai Special Olympics will provide venues for 18 competitive events for about 7,000 athletes from more than 150 countries.

The total budget for the Games is US$45 million.

This is the first time a developing country, or an Asian nation, has hosted the event.

Before the signing ceremony, President Hu Jintao received Timothy Shriver, chairman of the Special Olympics International Committee, and his mother Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who founded the Special Olympics in 1968.

Hu said the Chinese government feels the Games are very important, and that they will provide an excellent opportunity to enhance mutual understanding between the Chinese people and those from other countries. He said the event will result in additional international cooperation in the future.

Timothy Shriver called China a leading force in world Special Olympics activities.

Through the Games in 2007, China will serve as a model for other countries to reduce differences and turn them into friendship and understanding, he said.

(China Daily March 3, 2004)