Deng Pufang, a renowned leader of persons with a disability and social activist in China and across the world, was awarded the Paralympic Order by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) at its general assembly in Beijing on Saturday.

Along with Deng, 10 other people were given the highest tribute a person connected with the Paralympic Movement may achieve.

Deng is currently the President of the Chinese National Paralympic Committee, the China Disabled Persons' Federation and Executive President of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Regarding sports as an important component of the work on disability, Deng has been pushing its development since the 1980s. With his leadership, sports for persons with a disability in China have achieved rapid progress over the last two decades.

The Paralympic Order, which was launched in 1994, is awarded to people and organizations that have made outstanding and long-lasting contributions to the Paralympic Movement. Before 2003, the Paralympic Honor was given out in three categories (Gold, Silver, Bronze).

(Xinhua News Agency November 20, 2005)