The 4th Special Olympics Fujian Provincial Games was officially opened on June 5 in Fuzhou, capital city of the province. The leading officials of the province --- Tang Guozhong, Zhang zhinan, Li Zuke; Council director of CDPF Xiang Zicheng; SOEA Managing director Anna Chan and Sports director Charlie Chang; as well as over one thousand SO athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers and invited guests attended the opening ceremony and watched the art performances.

Mr. Hou Bin, who lighted the Paralympic cauldron at the Opening Ceremony for 2008 Paralympic Games, sang a song “ATrue Hero” with volunteers at the Opening Ceremony

The invited Chinese Taipei SO athletes played an indigenous dance at the Opening Ceremony

The standing member of Fujian Provincial Party Committee, who is also the honorary chair of the 4th SO Provincial Games, Mr. Tang Guozhong declared the Games open.

On behalf of the Provincial Party Committee and provincial government Mr. Zhang Zhinan, the vice-governor of the province and chair of the Working Commission for Disabled of the provincial government addressed the ceremony, who remarked that presently the people in Fujian Province are earnestly implementing “The State Council’s Suggestions on Supporting Fujian Province in expediting the construction of Economic Zones on the West Bank of Taiwan Straits”, committed to build the zones into harmonious places with sustainable developing economy, prosperous culture, ever enhancing comprehensive competitiveness where our people can live and work in peace and contentment, that will provide favorable opportunities for advancing our course for the disabled people. The Party Committee and government of Fujian Province has always been taking seriously the work among the disabled people, bringing it into line with the construction of the West bank of Taiwan Straits in an overall planning. Earlier this year the Party Committee and government of the province outlined “the suggestions regarding advancing the course for the disabled people” and vigorously pushed forward the healthy growth of the course for the disabled. Special Olympics is a vital part of the sports for the disabled, full of human care, which is an exchange platform for their inclusion in community in the spirit of equality and dignity, and is a vivid practice for building a harmonious society. Special Olympics advocates “equality, admission and inclusion”, encourages the intellectually disabled to self-challenge, realizing their value of life and helps the intellectually disabled enjoy the attainment and fruit of human civilization. He hoped that through the joint efforts of all the people concerned, the Games will come out a complete success. He also pointed out that the Games will lead to a successful upcoming 5th National Special Olympic Games, which will be held in Fujian Province in September 2010.

Xiang Zicheng of CDPF and Anna Chan of SOEA also addressed the ceremony, both wishing success to the Games.

Before the opening ceremony leaders of the Province --- Tang Guozhong, Zhang Zhinan and Li Zuke --- met with the officials from CDPF, SOEA and some of the members from SO Chinese Taipei delegation.

There are 191 thousand intellectually disabled people in Fujian Province, and SO provincial Games are held once in four years. The fourth provincial Games sponsored by the Provincial Disabled Persons Federation, Provincial Sports Administration, provincial Civil Affairs Bureau, Provincial Education Bureau and Provincial SO sub-program are held from June 5 thru 7 in Fuzhou with 12 sports and non-sports items, including athletics, aquatics, power-lifting, badminton, table tennis, bocce, football and basketball. 9 cities from the Province have sent their delegations plus one delegation from SO Chinese Taipei with a total of 1,200 athletes and volunteers will be attending the events.

SO Chinese Taipei is the first time invited to this province for the Games. SOCT athletes will take part in competitions in 5 sport items --- athletics, aquatics, table tennis, badminton and bocce.