Accompanying this great news was a pledge by President Hu to try to attend the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai. During their meeting, President Hu recognized the contributions of Mrs. Shriver and Special Olympics in helping to improve the living conditions of people with intellectual disabilities. “People with disabilities face more difficulties than the general public and they deserve the care and help of all society,” said the President. He added, “I am quite sure that the Special Olympics and the World Games will be a major force in promoting friendship and new ideas with the rest of the world.”

Regarding the next Summer Games, President Hu commented, “I am grateful to the Shriver's gracious invitation to attend the opening ceremonies of the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games. I will put this on my list of priority activities. I want to come to Shanghai and give my personal blessing to the event and the athletes from around the world,” said President Hu, “I think everyone fully agrees about the important role Special Olympics plays in giving opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to train and compete and integrate into society.” President Hu closed the meeting by expressing his views on the importance of Special Olympics as a global movement, “I think the work of Special Olympics is very important for people with disability but in reality, it has an important role in the comprehensive development of humanity around the world.”

Preparations for the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games were officially launched during a ceremony held in Beijing on 2 March, 2004. The event began with remarks by Shanghai Vice Mayor Zhou Taitong, Timothy Shriver; Chairman of the China Disabled Persons Federation Deng Pufang, and the Shanghai Party Secretary Chen Liang Yu. The Games Agreement was then signed by Timothy Shriver and Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng. Special Olympics China Global Messenger Xu Chuang was also on hand to witness this historic signing ceremony. The completion of the Signing Ceremony also marked the commencement of a week of activities including the launch of the official 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games Web site, press conferences, school visits and corporate leader and government meetings. One of the key focal points of the week was the rollout of the Games Executive Committee Fundraising Plan through corporate dinners hosted in both Beijing and Shanghai. In both cities, to audiences of more than 300 top corporate and government leaders, Timothy Shriver and Dr. Shi Derong, CEO of the 2007 World Summer Games, spoke about the importance of corporate participation in the development of a successful World Summer Games. They encouraged companies to get involved in sponsorship of the Games and to support Special Olympics Programs.